Gaza needs aid, not arms

We are deeply concerned about the war in Gaza and the resulting humanitarian crisis. For more than two months, now, there has been no food, water, fuel, or medicine allowed to reach over 2 million Palestinians and the remaining Israeli hostages. Massive starvation is imminent. The problem is not a lack of food. Aid agencies are poised with 3,000 truckloads of humanitarian aid waiting at the border but barred from entry. Gaza is on the brink of catastrophic famine that could claim tens of thousands of lives. This is an entirely preventable crisis. Congress must act now to press for the immediate reopening of Gaza’s borders. This will allow humanitarian aid to reach those in desperate need.

We ask that our representative in Congress, Rick Larsen, take the following three actions:

1) Cosponsor legislation to restore funding to UNRWA, the agency charged with facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

2) Cosponsor legislation to stop the flow of offensive weapons of war to the region.

3) Make a public statement calling for unfettered humanitarian access into Gaza in compliance with international law.

The way to build peace is to provide aid, not arms. We want our tax dollars to alleviate suffering, not prolong it. We are grateful to Representative Larsen for supporting humanitarian relief measures in the past. We ask him to step up again at this crucial time.

The San Juan Islands Advocacy Team

Tom Rawson, Eastsound

Sharon Abreu, Eastsound

Kathy Cope, Friday Harbor

Linda Ellsworth, Eastsound

Andy Hiester, Eastsound

Micki Jackson, Bellingham

Charles Janeway, Lopez

Ron Metcalf, Lopez

Necia Quast, Friday Harbor

Bruce Radtke, Bellingham

Allen Stockbridge, Bellingham

Michelle Yee, Eastsound