Over the last several weeks, Congressmembers Brian Baird (WA-03), Donna Edwards (MD-04), and Keith Ellison (MN-05) have tried to move away from the status-quo regarding the Israel - Palestine conflict. Throught their words, and their actions, these three Representatives are challenging the traditional American-Middle East establishment. I would like to describe who they are, what they are doing, and find ways for people looking for new leadership in Washington to support these officials.
"The first and most urgent priority must be helping the people in Gaza. At the same time, the rocket attacks against Israeli cities must stop immediately. Just as the people of Gaza should not be subject to what they have experienced the Israeli civilians should not have to live in fear of constant and indiscriminate rocketing. The entire region and the international community must recommit itself to making the difficult but necessary changes to bring about lasting and just peace and security for the region. President Obama has made important and encouraging initiatives, now it is up to leaders and citizens here to move forward toward that shared goal"- Brian Baird and Keith Ellison 2/19/09,
Congressmember Brian Baird is a licensed clinical psychologist who has practiced privately, taught at the university level and is a former chairman of the Department of Psychology at Pacific Lutheran University. He was elected to serve the people of Washington State's Third Congressional District in 1998. He currently serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the Science and Technology Committee, where he serves as Chairman of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee. He also is a member of the Middle East Business Caucus. Congressman Baird was elected President of his 1998 Freshman Democratic Class, and currently serves as a Senior Democratic Whip, which afford him significant access to the House leadership.
Congressmember Keith Ellison was born and raised in Detroit, and moved to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota Law School. He served two terms, 2003-2007, in the Minnesota State House of Representatives. In November, 2006, he was elected to the represent the 5th distict (Minneapolis and surrounding areas) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Keith made history by being the first African-American to represent Minnesota, and the first person of Muslim faith to serve in the U.S. Congress. Congressman Ellison serves on the Financial Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. With respect to the Foreign Affairs Committee, he is a member of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia. According to his website, his Congressional priorities are promoting peace, prosperity for working families, and promoting civil and human rights.
Congressmember Donna Edwards lives in Fort Washington, Maryland. Since June, 2008, she has represented the 4th district, comprising parts of Prince George's and Montgomery Counties. She is the first African-American woman to represent Maryland in the U.S. Congress. She attended Wake Forest University and earned her JD from Franklin Pierce Law Center. Donna had spent her career as a public interest advocate dedicated to addressing issues of public health, domestic violence, and campaign finance reform. Prior to her election, she was the executive director of the Arca Foundation in Washington, DC, where she worked to support living wages, end capital punishment, and support labor and human rights. Presently, she serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, as well as the Science and Technology Committee.
On February 19th and 20th, Rep. Baird and Rep. Ellison traveled to the Middle East and spent time in Gaza, Sderot, Ashkelon, and the West Bank. They went to view the devastation from the recent Gaza War, meet the citizens of these areas, and speak with international and local relief agencies. After visiting these areas, especially Gaza, the Congressmen were deeply affected by what they saw and heard.
"We believe it is important to be here and see what happened for ourselves, to meet with people who have been affected, and to express our concern and support" said Congressman Baird.
"The stories about the children affected me the most. No parent, or anyone who cares for kids, can remain unmoved by what Brian and I saw here."said Keith Ellison.
"The amount of physical destruction and the depth of human suffering here is staggering. Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed, schools completely leveled, fundamental water, sewer, and electricity facilities hit and relief agencies heavily damaged.", said Baird.
Said the Congressmen, "People, innocent children, women and non-combatants, are going without water, food, and sanitation, while the things they so desperately need are sitting in trucks at the border, being denied permission to go in."
On February 12th, Congressmember Ellison participated in the Subcommitee on the Middle East and South Asia hearing, "Gaza After The War: What Can Be Built On The Wreckage?". During the opening statements, Rep. Ellison submitted written testimony from an important group that was overlooked when creating the hearing's panel, the American-Arab Anti Discrimination Commitee.
During the secondary statements and Q&A portion of the hearing, the Congressman showed his intelligence and command of the complexities of the region by directing pointed questions at the panelists concerning aid, relief organizations, the need for opening up the border crossings, the need for Palestinian unity talks, Benjamin Netanyahu and the future Prime Minister's lack of support for the two-state solution. I highly recommend watching the webcast of his questions(1:51 to 2:03:00 minute mark).
On February 26th, Congresswoman Donna Edwards held a "Community Conversation On Gaza And Israel". The panelists included Amjad Atallah and Daniel Levy of the New America Foundation's Middle East Task Force, Dr. Heather Hanson of Mercy Corps, Dr. Robert Pastor of American University and the Carter Center, and Mitchell Plitnick from the USA office of B'Tselem. (Bios of the participants can be found at this link.
"I wanted to actually have a dialogue, in moderation, she said, on what she had heard and felt from people in her distict. With such groups (extemists on either side of the issue),the discussion "might have been polarized and unhelpful," adding that "this is also about education for people."
Asked if the group was one-sided, Edwards responded, "I don't share that belief. They are moderate in their approach, pragmatic in their approach, about what needs to happen in the region and with the process." JTA article 3/3/09
Congresswoman Edwards is a strong believer in human rights, and stands against acts of violence, genocide, and anti-semitism. She believes in the rights of the people of Israel and Palestine to live in peace, and was one of the first candidates endorsed by J Street. Creating a panel of experts routinely kept out of Congressional discussion of Israel and Palestine, shows the strength of her character and the commitment of her principals with respect to this conflict.
In order to keep challenging the status-quo Israel-Palestine groups, both Democratic and Republican, these elected officials will need our support. Please contact them to offer your thanks and encouragment. The members can be reached through the Toll-Free Capitol Switchboard, (877)762-8762 or (800)828-0498. Their e-mails can be accessed through their House Webpages, which can be accessed in the personal links found earlier in this diary.
These people can also use your monetary support. An ActBlue fundraising page regarding Israel-Palestine peace has been set up for these candidates. Please contribute what you can to protect these people as they work toward a more equal and just Middle East.
