In a poignant video statement posted on X, Indian American Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) has appealed for an immediate cessation of military operations in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need to deliver humanitarian aid, food, water, and medicine to civilians caught in the crossfire of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Recounting conversations with Palestinian and Jewish constituents, Bera said: “Earlier this week, when I spoke with one of my Palestinian constituents, I could share the pain, anguish, despair and anger in his voice over his personal loss of friends and family in Gaza. These sentiments mirrored the deep grief I heard in the voices of my Jewish constituents after their own tragic losses on October 7.”
The California Democrat said while he believes in Israel’s right to exist and defend itself, innocent Palestinians also have the right to a life of peace and dignity. The congressman said he envisioned a future where Israelis and Palestinians can coexist harmoniously, acknowledging the complexity of this aspiration but emphasizing that it will remain unattainable if violence continues to claim innocent lives on both sides.
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“I hope that one day Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace. I don’t know if that is an impossible dream. But I do know it will never be accomplished if innocent Israelis are murdered and innocent Palestinians are killed,” states Bera in the video.
While I firmly believe Israel has the right to exist and to defend itself, so do innocent Palestinians have a right to a life of peace and dignity.
We need an immediate pause in order to get needed humanitarian aid, food, water and medicine to struggling civilians. pic.twitter.com/UqUut64QzX
— Ami Bera, M.D. (@RepBera) November 3, 2023
READ THE FULL STATEMENT:
“Earlier this week, when I spoke with one of my Palestinian constituents, I could share the pain, anguish, despair and anger in his voice over his personal loss of friends and family in Gaza. These sentiments mirrored the deep grief I heard in the voices of my Jewish constituents after their own tragic losses on October 7. While I firmly believe Israel has the right to exist, and to defend itself, so do innocent Palestinians have a right to a life of peace and dignity. I hope that one day Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace. I don’t know if that is an impossible dream. But I do know it will never be accomplished if innocent Israelis are murdered and innocent Palestinians are killed. We need an immediate pause in order to get needed humanitarian aid, food, water and medicine to struggling civilians; then we need to find a different path forward. With blessings and peace.”
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