The Resolution Urges Biden to
Work toward De-escalation in Israel/Palestine
Dave DeCamp / AntiWar.com
House Democrats Introduce Resolution Calling for Gaza Ceasefire
(October 16, 2023) — On Monday, a group of progressive Democrats in the House introduced a resolution calling for de-escalation and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.
“I am grieving for every Palestinian, Israeli, and American life lost to this violence, and my heart breaks for all those who will be forever traumatized because of it. War and retaliatory violence doesn’t achieve accountability or justice; it only leads to more death and human suffering,” Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) said in a statement on the resolution. [Read statement below — EAW]
The effort is being led by Bush and Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), André Carson (D-IN), Summer Lee (D-PA), and Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL). It has received support from Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Jesús García (D-IL), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Nydia Velázquez (D-NY).
The resolution would urge “the Biden Administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, to send humanitarian aid and assistance to Gaza, and to save as many lives as possible.”
Amid Israel’s onslaught on Gaza, which has already killed over 2,700 Palestinians, the State Department circulated instructions to its diplomats not to call for a ceasefire or a de-escalation of the conflict. The vast majority of Congress is also strongly backing Israel and wants to pass legislation for new military aid, giving the ceasefire resolution no chance of passing if brought to a vote.
Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO)
Reps. Bush, Tlaib, Carson, Lee, Ramirez
Lead Call for Immediate Ceasefire
Ceasefire Now Resolution Urges an End
to Violence in Israel and Occupied Palestine
Hon. Cori Bush / US House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, DC (October 16, 2023) — Today, Representatives Cori Bush (MO-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), André Carson (IN-07), Summer Lee (PA-12), and Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), alongside Representatives Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) announced a resolution urging the Biden Administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, to send humanitarian aid and assistance to Gaza, and to save as many lives as possible.
“I am grieving for every Palestinian, Israeli, and American life lost to this violence, and my heart breaks for all those who will be forever traumatized because of it. War and retaliatory violence doesn’t achieve accountability or justice; it only leads to more death and human suffering,” said Congresswoman Bush.
“Today I am introducing the Ceasefire Now Resolution, vital legislation that calls for de-escalation and an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Occupied Palestine, and for humanitarian assistance to urgently be delivered to the 2.2 million people under siege and trapped in Gaza. The United States bears a unique responsibility to exhaust every diplomatic tool at our disposal to prevent mass atrocities and save lives. We can’t bomb our way to peace, equality, and freedom. With thousands of lives lost and millions more at stake, we need a ceasefire now.”
“We need legislation that saves as many lives as possible, no matter one’s faith or ethnicity. I am proud to join my colleagues and a coalition of human rights advocates in calling for de-escalation, ceasefire, and a strong humanitarian response that prevents more devastating civilian casualties across the region,” said Congresswoman Tlaib.
“I’m proud to co-lead this resolution, which calls for a ceasefire to de-escalate this terrible situation. Our call for action is clear: every human life is precious, and no civilian — Israeli or Palestinian — should fear for their life,” said Congressman Carson. “I condemn the horrific attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians, and I also condemn the Israeli government’s cruel response on millions of Palestinians. The answer to violence is not more violence.
“The answer is not military response and more killing of innocent children and women. Gaza’s 2 million civilian residents — half of whom are children — are particularly vulnerable right now. “The Israeli government cut off Gaza’s medical supply, food, fuel, water, and electricity; announced plans for ground military operations against civilians; and warned 1 million North Gaza residents to evacuate their homes. Palestinians are already surrounded by long-term military blockades — they have literally nowhere to go. I continue to pray for all families in the region who have lost loved ones, are searching for family members, or fear for their lives. Our shared humanity will continue to be my guide.”
“Throughout my time in Congress, I have been clear on my position that a true and lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians can only be achieved through recognition of our interdependence and a commitment to diplomacy. We must reject the doctrine that only some lives are worth protecting and recognize that the lives, futures, and collective safety of Israelis and Palestinians are intertwined.
“The solutions Congress puts forward and supports should affirm our shared humanity and reject all forms of dehumanization, scapegoating, and collective punishment. I am proud to join my colleagues and human rights advocates to urge for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation to make room for diplomacy and lasting peace,” said Congresswoman Ramirez.
“The events that have unfolded over the past week in Israel and Gaza are horrifying violations of human rights and international law that have resulted in the devastating loss of thousands of civilian lives,” said Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (NY-16). “We must do everything in our power to end this ongoing violence. Our actions should proceed on the basis of recognizing our shared humanity, including rejecting violence in all forms and pursuing an urgent ceasefire and de-escalation so we can save civilian lives. I’m proud to cosponsor this resolution with Representatives Tlaib, Bush, Summer Lee, Ramirez, and Carson that urges our government to show leadership by preventing an escalating humanitarian crisis. No one should ever have to live in constant fear of violence and unrest, and peace must remain our objective.”
“A shared wish of every parent is a world in which their children can live in peace and security. Accordingly, I support every effort to de-escalate the violence in Israel and Palestine. This must be a primary focus of our foreign policy. Secretary Blinken must work with his counterparts in the region to call for an immediate ceasefire and delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“While an immediate ceasefire is essential, we must simultaneously address how we arrive at a lasting peace. Our collective responsibility must be to ensure a two-state solution that recognizes the equal rights and needs of Israelis and Palestinians as well as a commitment to rebuilding homes and communities in Gaza. A lasting peace requires courage and accountability to facilitate.
“Over the last week, I’ve been horrified by the violence seen in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. The toll this conflict has taken on innocent Israeli and Palestinian children has been especially heartbreaking. I will continue to support every reasonable effort to bring peace to Israel and Palestine and leave our children a world based in peace, dignity, and mutual respect,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman.
“We are watching an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe as a result of the Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Over a million people have now been displaced from their homes, nearly 3,000 have been killed—1,000 of them children. Human rights groups have put forward credible reports of white phosphorous being used in civilian areas—a war crime. Electricity remains cut off, with many hospitals on the brink of collapse today.
“We must be clear: violence does not justify more violence. Killing innocent children and civilians will only exacerbate the violence we have seen, and do nothing to bring about a political solution. We must urge an immediate end to the violence in Gaza, a release of the hostages still held in Gaza and at long last steps towards justice and peace,” said Congresswoman Omar.
“The loss of every Palestinian, Israeli, and American life we have seen in the past week is absolutely devastating and the grief and trauma in our communities is palpable. The murder of innocent Israeli civilians by Hamas is horrific and unacceptable. And the murder of innocent Palestinian civilians is a horrific and unacceptable response,” said Congresswoman Pressley.
“With over 2,600 Palestinians, more than 1,400 Israelis, and 30 Americans killed, scores of others wounded, hostages’ lives at risk, and millions in Gaza lacking food, electricity, and clean drinking water, we must pursue an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians and save lives. The United States has a moral obligation to get Americans in Gaza and Israel safely home, save Israeli and Palestinian civilian lives, and ensure humanitarian assistance is provided to Gaza. Our shared humanity is at stake and we must move with urgency.”
“Hamas’ terrorist attack last week claimed the lives of 1,400 Israelis, while retaliatory strikes have killed over 2,383 Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. I mourn for the Israeli and Palestinian lives lost and I believe it is incumbent on the U.S. government to do all it can to prevent more civilian deaths. Without a ceasefire, hundreds of thousands of lives are at imminent risk. I’m proud to join my colleagues to urge the Biden administration to call for an immediate cease-fire to stop the current violence and ensure that desperately needed humanitarian aid can be delivered,” Congresswoman Velázquez.
The 2021 Israel-Palestine Ceasefire Remembered
A copy of this resolution can be found HERE.
Endorsements
The Ceasefire Now Resolution is endorsed by 350.org, About Face: Veterans Against the War, Action Center on Race & the Economy, Adalah Justice Project, American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine (AFRP), American Muslims for Palestine, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Americans for Justice in Palestine Action, Arab American Institute, Arab Resource & Organizing Center (AROC), Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Center for Civilians in Conflict, Center for Constitutional Rights, Center for Jewish Nonviolence, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), Defense for Children International – Palestine, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), Dream Defenders, EMGAGE Action, Freedom Forward, Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, Highlander Research & Education, Hindus for Human Rights, IfNotNow, Institute for Middle Eastern Understanding, Institute for Policy Studies New Internationalism Project, The Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Just Foreign Policy, MADRE, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Movement Law Lab, MPower Change Action Fund, Pax Christi USA, Peace Action, Progressive Jews of St. Louis, Project48, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, ReThinking Foreign Policy, RootsAction.org, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Institute Justice Team, Transgender Law Center, United Church of Christ, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR), US Council for Muslim Organizations, Women Cross DMZ, and Working Families Party. A list of all endorsement quotes can be found HERE.
