September 22, 2007
Southampton, NY
sent to
tim.bishop@mail.house.gov
Dear Mr. Bishop:
The situation of the people in Gaza is desperate.
It has been deteriorating for years due to dozens of military invasions, economic sanctions, and closures of border crossings. In June, the World Food Program estimated that 87% of Gazans were living below the poverty line.
This week, the Israeli cabinet declared Gaza an "enemy entity" and is threatening to further its siege on the people of Gaza.
The ability of relief organizations to help alleviate the poverty is now under threat.
We as US citizens have a responsibility to stop the collective punishment of Palestinians because we don't like the government they elected. U.S. military and non-military aid to Israel is being used to destroy a people.
Congress should act to stop this new humanitarian crisis. Our leverage is the billions given to Israel's military and government each year which supports a brutal occupation in Gaza and the West Bank.
The violence perpetrated by both sides must stop. It will stop when a just peace that recognizes the human rights of both Palestinians and Israelis is achieved.
The US should stop supporting the occupation and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Applying pressure on Hamas by starving the people of Palestine will not work.
Tony Ernst
