Fifty-four members of the U.S. Congress have signed a letter asking President Obama to press Israel to ease the blockade of the Gaza Strip. The letter was initiated by Representatives Jim McDermott of Washington and Keith Ellison of Minnesota. McDermott and Ellison, both Democrats, wrote that they understand the threats facing Israel from the ongoing Hamas terror activities against Israeli citizens but that “this concern must be addressed without resulting in the de facto collective punishment of the Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip.... We ask you to press for immediate relief for the citizens of Gaza as an urgent component of your broader Middle East peace efforts.” They added that the blockade has hampered the ability of aid agencies to do their work in Gaza.
Congress Members Urge End to Blockade
Show Comments (
)
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
The latest from america
The people of God see the bishop of Rome as a teacher, but they also unquestionably see him as a father.
Since the death of Pope Francis, lists of his possible successors have proliferated on social media and in newspapers. Should you trust them?
A Homily for the Third Sunday of Easter, by Terrance Klein
In a pre-conclave meeting, an Italian cardinal, and backer of Cardinal Parolin as next pope, attacked Pope Francis for opening positions of responsibility in the church to men and women not in holy orders.