Dear Friend:
Thank you for contacting me to urge my support for the people of Gaza. I appreciate hearing from you.
I share your concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, as well as your belief that the current situation is unsustainable. I am committed to working with the Israeli government, as well as the international community, to reach a solution that addresses the humanitarian suffering within Gaza while also addressing Israel's very real security concerns. As a strong supporter of the Jewish state of Israel, I believe that it is in Israel's interest to work to relieve human suffering in Gaza. I have repeatedly raised this issue with both the U.S. Administration and with the Israeli Ambassador in Washington.
Congressman McDermott's letter goes beyond humanitarian relief, however, and, in calling for all commercial and agricultural goods to be allowed in, it effectively calls for an end to the Israeli blockade. I think that there is a legitimate policy discussion to be had about whether the blockade is effective toward reaching Israel's long-term goal of security, but we need to find a way to allow in civilian goods without letting in materials that will be used by Hamas to make bombs. If Israel is going to allow free movement of goods into Gaza, there needs to be some assurance that these products will not be used to create weapons or to strengthen Hamas's tunnel infrastructure.
I did not receive your letter until after the Moran-Inglis letter on student travel had already been sent. However, I will raise this issue with my colleagues in Congress, and discuss next steps for providing educational opportunities for Palestinian students while also strengthening Israeli security. I do not believe that these two goals are mutually exclusive.
Ultimately, the answer has to be a negotiated, two-state solution that provides safety and security for all civilians in Israel and in the Palestinian territories. Such an agreement has the potential to provide long-term security for Israel, a better life for Palestinians, and a future of peace in the region. I support President Obama's efforts to urge both the Israelis and the Palestinians to abide by their international commitments and to encourage both sides to meet at the negotiating table to work out a solution to the difficult and longstanding conflict.
Again, thank you for the opportunity to discuss these critical issues further. Please let me know whenever I may be of assistance in the future.
Sincerely,
Jan Schakowsky
Member of Congress
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