Rep. Baird's statement is printed below. He writes, for instance: "what went on here, and what is continuing to go on, is shocking and troubling beyond words." In an extraordinary interview with the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/news/2009/02/090220_gaza_visit_wt_sl.shtml), Rep. Ellison describes his impression in terms strongly critical of Israel, reporting:
"Devastation. Devastation and destruction of facilities that to my mind were not legitimate military targets in any sense of the term, for example the American International School of Gaza was hit, and it is not in a crowded densely packed area, it is kind of out in the middle of a field almost, and it is hard to see how it represented any sort of threat to anyone."
Both Representatives were struck by (and deeply critical of) not only the massive suffering, loss of life, and destruction, but also the vicious and arbitrary manner in which Israel continues to block humanitarian supplies from entering Gaza, supplies such as lentils, tomato paste, and basic building materials.
In his BBC interview, Rep. Ellis was asked why he did not meet with Hamas during his trip. His answer is remarkably candid:
"The constellation of political forces in the United States at this moment would make a member of Congress who reached out directly to Hamas spend all their time defending that decision, and not be able to spend their time on other critical issues that need to be focused on. So for example if I were to make a move like that, I would not be able to focus my attention on the humanitarian issue, I'd have to defend myself to my colleagues, why I reached out to a terrorist organization. It would absorb all my time, I would spend a lot of time fighting off personal attacks and would not be able to achieve goals that I have."
When asked if this state of affairs is likely to change, Ellison replied:
"Hamas has it within their power to make it easier to talk to them" by respecting a unity government with Fatah, for instance. "I hope that those European parliamentarians who are talking to Hamas behind the scenes can persuade them that if they soften their position it would be a lot easier for American politicians to talk to them."
Senator Kerry also seems to be open to dialogue on Gaza. On a recent Democracy Now (Feb. 11), Mustafa Barghouti, an independent Palestinian lawmaker and democracy activist reported: "At the Senate yesterday, I had a very, very good meeting with John Kerry, the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee."
These are all very hopeful signs. The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation has put out an action alert asking (among other things) for people to thank Kerry, Baird and Ellison. (See http://endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id=1867)
Sen. John Kerry: 202-224-2742
Rep. Brian Baird: 202-225-3536
Rep. Keith Ellison: 202-225-4755
Judith Norman
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http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/wa03_baird/morenews1/GazaTrip.shtml
For Immediate Release
February 19th 2009
Brian Views Destruction in Gaza – Calls for Immediate Relief and Change in Policy
Washington, D.C. – Two members of Congress, Brian Baird (D-WA-03), and Keith Ellison, (D-MN-05), visited Gaza on Thursday to view firsthand the destruction from recent Israeli air and ground attacks and to meet with international and local relief agencies. This visit, which did not have the official sanction of the Obama Administration, is the first time anyone from the U.S. government has entered Gaza in more than three years.
Prior to Gaza, both Congressmen met with the chief negotiator of the Palestinian Authority, Dr. Saeb Erekat, as well as with Dr. Riad Malki Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority. On Friday, Baird and Ellison will tour the Israeli towns of Sderot and Ashkelon, which have been the target of numerous rockets before and throughout the recent attacks launched from within the Gaza strip.
"Staff from the U.S. State Department advised us of security concerns for our own safety, and we are well aware of the sensitive political issues involved in this visit," said both Congressmen in an official release.
"We believe it is important to be here to see what happened for ourselves, to meet with people who have been affected, and to express our concern and support," said Congressman Baird.
"We also want to better understand what can and must be done to recover from the destruction, address the underlying issues, and work toward a lasting, just and peaceful resolution," added Congressman Ellison.
After spending the day visiting various locations within Gaza and meeting with civilians and relief workers, Baird and Ellison were deeply affected by what they had seen and heard.
"The stories about the children affected me the most," said Ellison. "No parent, or anyone who cares for kids, can remain unmoved by what Brian and I saw here."
"The amount of physical destruction and the depth of human suffering here is staggering" said Baird, "Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed, schools completely leveled, fundamental water, sewer, and electricity facilities hit and relief agencies heavily damaged. The personal stories of children being killed in their homes or schools, entire families wiped out, and relief workers prevented from evacuating the wounded are heart wrenching – what went on here, and what is continuing to go on, is shocking and troubling beyond words."
Inquiring about the status of relief efforts, the Congressmen learned that some aid material has been allowed in since the intensity of the attacks lessened a month ago, but much is still being blocked by the Israeli defense forces. Examples of aid that has been banned by the Israeli Government include: lentils, macaroni, tomato paste, lentils and other food. Basic building materials, generator fuel and parts to repair damaged water treatment equipment have also been kept out.
"If this had happened in our own country, there would be national outrage and an appeal for urgent assistance. We are glad that the Obama administration acted quickly to send much needed funding for this effort but the arbitrary and unreasonable Israeli limitations on food and repair essentials is unacceptable and indefensible. People, innocent children, women and non-combatants, are going without water, food and sanitation, while the things they so desperately need are sitting in trucks at the border, being denied permission to go in" said Baird and Ellison.
The Congressmen's concerns about treatment of Palestinians were not limited to Gaza. They also visited Palestinian hospitals that treat patients from East Jerusalem and the West Bank. There they met with doctors, nurses and hospital directors who described how official Israeli policies and restricted border checkpoints make it exceedingly difficult and expensive for patients, nurses, medical technicians, and other essential personnel to reach the hospital to receive or provide care.
"It's hard for anyone in our country to imagine how it must feel to have a sick child who needs urgent care or is receiving chemotherapy or dialysis, then be forced to take a needlessly lengthy route, walk rather than drive, and wait in lines as long as two hours simply to get to the hospital. As a health care professional myself, I found this profoundly troubling, no, actually it's beyond that, it is outrageous," said Baird.
Responding to this and other issues the Congressman emphasized that fundamental changes and solutions are needed beyond the immediate challenges in Gaza.
"The first and most urgent priority must be helping the people in Gaza. At the same time, the rocket attacks against Israeli cities must stop immediately. Just as the people of Gaza should not be subject to what they have experienced the Israeli civilians should not have to live in fear of constant and indiscriminate rocketing. The entire region and the international community must recommit itself to making the difficult but necessary changes to bring about lasting and just peace and security for the region. President Obama has made important and encouraging initiatives, now it is up to leaders and citizens here to move forward toward that shared goal"
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Jewish Peace News editors:
Joel Beinin
Racheli Gai
Rela Mazali
Sarah Anne Minkin
Judith Norman
Lincoln Shlensky
Rebecca Vilkomerson
Alistair Welchman
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Jewish Peace News archive and blog: http://jewishpeacenews.blogspot.com
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