Congressmen Brian Baird and Keith Ellison recently returned from a trip to Gaza where they saw firsthand the devastation of the US-sponsored/Israeli war against Gaza and its 1.5 million inhabitants.
It is the first time in 3 years that any U.S. government official visited Gaza in more than three years.
Together they are calling for a change in US policy.
They are supporting President Obama's commitment to help rebuild Gaza, yet are very concerned about the Israeli restrictions that hurt the people of Gaza.
We are glad that the Obama administration acted quickly to send much needed funding for this effort but the arbitrary and unreasonable Israeli limitations on food and repair essentials is unacceptable and indefensible.
From Congressman Baird's website.
After spending the day visiting various locations within Gaza and meeting with civilians and relief workers, Baird and Ellison were deeply affected by what they had seen and heard.
"The stories about the children affected me the most," said Ellison. "No parent, or anyone who cares for kids, can remain unmoved by what Brian and I saw here."
"The amount of physical destruction and the depth of human suffering here is staggering" said Baird, "Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed, schools completely leveled, fundamental water, sewer, and electricity facilities hit and relief agencies heavily damaged. The personal stories of children being killed in their homes or schools, entire families wiped out, and relief workers prevented from evacuating the wounded are heart wrenching – what went on here, and what is continuing to go on, is shocking and troubling beyond words."
Inquiring about the status of relief efforts, the Congressmen learned that some aid material has been allowed in since the intensity of the attacks lessened a month ago, but much is still being blocked by the Israeli defense forces. Examples of aid that has been banned by the Israeli Government include: lentils, macaroni, tomato paste, lentils and other food. Basic building materials, generator fuel and parts to repair damaged water treatment equipment have also been kept out.
Emphasis added.
I know. I will be accused of all sorts of things by the small but persistent anti-human rights group here when i say that do not understand how Lentils pose an existential threat to not only Israel but all of "Western civilization" in the hands of the people of Gaza. Is that why they are now restricted, along with tomato paste?
Or is it that the extremist leadership now in place in Israel would like to continue with the "diet" (really, that's what the Israeli leaders called it)imposed on them some years ago, that has been wildly successful, so much so that many Gazan children are now malnourished.
Back to the Congressmen. They take note that the suffering of the Palestinians is not restricted to the people of Gaza, but also to the West Bank.
They also visited Palestinian hospitals that treat patients from East Jerusalem and the West Bank. There they met with doctors, nurses and hospital directors who described how official Israeli policies and restricted border checkpoints make it exceedingly difficult and expensive for patients, nurses, medical technicians, and other essential personnel to reach the hospital to receive or provide care.
"It’s hard for anyone in our country to imagine how it must feel to have a sick child who needs urgent care or is receiving chemotherapy or dialysis, then be forced to take a needlessly lengthy route, walk rather than drive, and wait in lines as long as two hours simply to get to the hospital. As a health care professional myself, I found this profoundly troubling, no, actually it’s beyond that, it is outrageous," said Baird.
I am glad Mr. Baird is outraged. I am glad they want to make sure aid reaches Gaza. I am glad they want to make sure Palestinians have access to medical care. I hope soon they take the next logical step. Let's get to the root of the problem. As long as Israel receives unconditional military aid from the US, it will create crisis after crisis. It's not enough to simply profess concern for the victims. We have to stop sponsoring these crimes. We have the Gaza massacre. We have the War against Lebanon. We have the mass destruction of homes in Gaza by US-supplied Caterpillar bulldozers... one of which claimed the life of a young constituent of Congressman Baird.
When are they going to say enough is enough? In the meantime, thanks for the outrage congressmen. It's a start. In the meantime i hope everyone is organizing in every way possible. Here's an organization to connect with and make it happen.
Now On to the streets:
What do we Want?
Lentils for Gaza!
When do we want it?
NOW!