Standing with Israel As It Defends Itself Against the Barbaric War Launched By Hamas and Other Terrorists
Floor Speech
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Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, it is hard to describe the anguish I feel in the aftermath of the horrific attack on Israel by Hamas. It continues the record I've seen from Hamas for as long as I've been in Congress. Under Yasser Arafat, Hamas torpedoed a peace agreement that was almost adopted with President Clinton. The pain was magnified because we were so close to an agreement for lasting peace. Even though optimism for the two-state solution has faded, I still believe it is the best chance for long-term peace and security. Ultimately, there is no military solution to this conflict.
I've traveled to Israel several times over the last 25 years and am heartsick that the optimism I first encountered there appears to have melted away. During my first trip to Israel in 1999, I met at a police command center in Ramallah led by both an Israeli officer and a Palestinian officer who were working cooperatively towards keeping the peace. Now we are on the edge of a humanitarian catastrophe made even worse with the widening scope of this war.
I am deeply concerned for the safety and security of the two million civilians in Gaza, half of whom are children. Israel cutting off water, electricity, medicine, fuel, and humanitarian aid has already created horrific consequences. These actions are not recipes for lasting peace in the region.
It was important for President Biden to acknowledge the mistakes that America made in our military response to 9/11 in Iraq and Afghanistan. We lost our perspective. We overreacted and the world is still paying the price.
I hope the Israeli government pays attention to the President's words of caution--to follow international law and responsibilities for the rules of war. They must work to avoid civilian casualties.
As someone who has worked for years trying to solve the water and sanitation crisis in Gaza, I know full well the consequences they face.
As Congress provides funding to deal with this crisis, I hope we can redouble our effort for humanitarian assistance, using our leverage to urge restraint, and move as quickly as possible to help the Palestinian people. I hope there is a humanitarian pause with a corridor for civilian safety so that it can allow a reset for food, water and medicine, and fuel to help them survive.
I pray that everyone will work together to avoid having this humanitarian crisis spill out in the region and engulfing more people and accomplishing nothing.
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