Congress and the Gazan Crisis

For the most part the response on the part of the US Government has been to give Israel a complete green light to do whatever it wishes in Gaza. It has hamstrung the UN by opposing any calls for a ceasefire. I was heartened to hear that at least a few in Congress -- most of whom I would say support Israel pretty strongly -- are saying this is disproportionate and that a ceasefire needs to be worked out immediately.

I got an update from Churches for Middle East Peace that includes a number of helpful statements. Here is the statement from Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA). Lois is my former congressional representative, a staunch supporter of Israel (I know, I challenged her on this issue at a clergy meeting several years back), and someone I have high regard for.

Here is her statement:

Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA), December 29, 2008
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA – Congresswoman Lois Capps today released the following statement regarding the recent violence in Israel:

"Obviously, Israel has the absolute right to defend itself from Hamas terrorists and other threats to its security. The ongoing rocket attacks on Israel are unacceptable and must be stopped. However, I fear the current military operation in Gaza represents a vastly disproportionate response that will further destabilize the region.

"Simple humanity demands that we grieve for the dead Palestinian child as much as we mourn the dead Israeli child. The numbers of dead and injured in Gaza, and the televised images of the humanitarian crisis now unfolding are truly shocking. And while this renewed state of war is clearly a tragedy for the Palestinian people, it will also bring a renewed state of fear in Israel because the threat of another wave of suicide bombing in Israeli cities is all too real.

"As a Member of Congress strongly dedicated to Israel's security, I believe an immediate ceasefire is necessary. And since this eruption of violence in Gaza is so clearly detrimental to U.S. national interests, I call upon both President Bush and
President-elect Obama to use their influence to push both sides to stop shooting
and renew the ceasefire."