Rep.Casten Statement on Escalating Violence Between Israelis and Palestinians
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Sean Casten released the following statement on the escalating violence between Israelis and Palestinians:
"The escalating violence between Israel and Palestinian forces has reached a boiling point--resulting in the death of at least 15 Israelis and 65 Palestinians, including 16 children, and injuring at least 330 more. Israelis are entitled to live in peace and security. Palestinians are entitled to fundamental human rights and dignity. These rocket attacks by Hamas on Israeli cities and the Israeli military airstrikes on the Gaza strip have destroyed the lives of far too many Israeli and Palestinian families, who will continue to suffer from this conflict.
"With power there is moral responsibility, and the United States has great power in the region. The prior administration failed to address both Hamas' militarization and too frequently turned a blind eye to the displacement of Palestinian families by Israeli settlers. Those actions created uncertainty, and complicated the political situation on the ground for all involved. I urge the administration to again lead with the moral obligation that our power requires, and to work with Israeli and Palestinian officials to deescalate tensions, end the violence, so that we may begin to work towards peace."