[ [link removed] ]Ilhan for Congress
This past weekend, Israel opened what Prime Minister Netanyahu has called a "new phase" in its war in Gaza, by sending in ground troops and expanding its assault on all fronts as it begins a ground invasion.
I cannot overstate this, and I want to be perfectly clear: this ground invasion will have disastrous, unspeakable consequences, and will lead to loss of life on a catastrophic scale.
We must oppose this Israeli ground invasion, and unequivocally demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Hamas’s attacks have killed over 1,400 Israelis. And since October 7, Israeli air strikes have killed over 8,000 Palestinians. Fuel and electricity remain shut off, and the 2.3 million residents of Gaza remain trapped in what is the world's largest open-air prison.
Civilians in Gaza have been told to evacuate and re-locate, and with no options for meaningfully doing so, are bombarded with airstrikes while fleeing. The Gaza health care system is now in a state of "complete collapse”, according to the Health Ministry.
No country should be allowed to massacre civilians, cut off access to water, food, fuel, electricity, and any means of communication to civilians — in direct violation of international law — with impunity. Amidst the horror in Israel and Gaza, 13 entire communities have been displaced from their land in the occupied West Bank. At least seven Palestinians have been murdered by Israeli settlers, according to Israeli human rights group Bt’Selem.
The US must use all diplomatic tools to put a stop to this violence. We must ask a simple question: What is the endgame here?
Does it increase security or safety for Israelis and Palestinians? It does not.
Even beyond the question of basic morality, it is important to note that this war is deeply unpopular, here at home and across the world.
Two-thirds of Americans and 80% of Democrats support a ceasefire. A majority of the Israeli people oppose a ground invasion. In the past few weeks I have been heartened to see Jewish-Americans lead peaceful protests and sit-ins calling for peace and an end to this conflict. I have also been heartened by the solidarity between the Muslim and Jewish communities in my district and across the country, making clear that our opposition to this war goes hand in hand with opposition to antisemitism and Islamophobia.
The solution to this horror, as ever, is a negotiated peace with Israelis and Palestinians enjoying equal rights, protections, and security guarantees.
As someone who has experienced firsthand the trauma of war, I know that at times such peace can feel impossible to imagine. But it all starts with all of us demanding an immediate ceasefire, for the release of hostages by Hamas, for the international community to demand accountability for these crimes.
Most of all, we must remember that each of us is part of one human family, as we continue to fight for peace and justice across the globe.
Thank you for reading.
In solidarity,
Ilhan Omar
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