Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) released the following statement:
“It is my solemn hope that a thriving and safe Palestinian state, free from the rule and terror of Hamas, can one day peacefully exist beside a safe and secure Israel. The tragic loss of life, and the uncertainty of the hostages’ fate has caused anguish and pain.
While Hamas shows little regard for Palestinian lives, the Israel Defense Forces must do more to minimize the deaths of innocent Palestinian civilians and humanitarian aid workers. As the only democracy in the Middle-East, Israel is held to a higher standard of conduct. It’s what the United States expects of its allies.
In control of Gaza since 2007, Hamas and their enablers are the greatest threat to the Palestinian people’s safety, right to self-determination and regional peace. The easiest path to end the violence is for Hamas to surrender, and immediately release the hostages who were taken on October 7. Israel alone cannot permanently end this conflict.
A just and lasting peace between the Palestinian people and Israel is only possible with the aid and support of Arab nations that publicly affirm Israel’s right to exist as a democratic state, and as the eternal homeland of the Jewish people.”
U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is whip for the Congressional Black Caucus, a member of the New Democrat Coalition, and one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress.
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