

# Democratic Lawmakers Urge Biden to Support Ceasefire in Israel-Hamas Conflict

A group of **Democratic lawmakers**, led by **Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez**, have written a letter to **President Joe Biden** urging him to support a **ceasefire** between **Israel and Hamas** (1, 2, 3, 4). The lawmakers expressed deep concern about the escalating war in Gaza, particularly the grave violations against children, and the potential for further loss of civilian life (1, 2, 3, 4).

> "We write to you to express deep concern about the intensifying war in Gaza, particularly grave violations against children, and our fear that without an immediate cessation of hostilities and the establishment of a robust bilateral ceasefire, this war will lead to a further loss of civilian life and risk dragging the United States into dangerous and unwise conflict with armed groups across the Middle East." - Excerpt from the letter to President Biden (3).

The letter also highlights concerns about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the need for protection of children's rights in armed conflicts (1, 3). The lawmakers thanked Biden for pushing for humanitarian aid to Gaza but criticized Israel for its response and restrictions on assistance (1).

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has caused a divide within the Democratic Party, with progressive lawmakers differing from party leadership on Israel's response to the attacks by Hamas (2, 3). At least 32 members of Congress, including Ocasio-Cortez, have called for a ceasefire, according to data from the left-wing Working Families Party (5).

However, President Biden and other leading Democrats have dismissed calls for a ceasefire, instead advocating for temporary humanitarian pauses to distribute aid (2, 3, 4). House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, along with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, have rejected calls for a ceasefire and attended a pro-Israel rally (5).

The Israeli workforce has been significantly impacted by the ongoing war, with at least 18% off the job. In Gaza, six out of ten jobs have been lost, and 45% of homes have been damaged, contributing to a high poverty rate (6).

> "We strongly believe that a two-state solution remains the only genuine option to achieve a just, secure, and prosperous future for both Israelis and Palestinians." - Sen. Cory Booker and Rep. Dan Goldman (4).

The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution expressing deep concern over the conflict's impact on civilians, especially children. The United States, United Kingdom, and Russia abstained from the vote. The resolution called for humanitarian pauses and corridors for rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access (6).

The Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., was evacuated during a pro-Palestinian rally where arrests were made. The group IfNotNow, which opposes U.S. support for Israel, accused officers of being violent toward demonstrators (6).

The future of the Israel-Hamas conflict remains uncertain. The divide within the Democratic Party reflects the complexity of the issue and the difficulty in finding a solution that satisfies all parties involved. As the conflict continues, the call for a ceasefire becomes increasingly urgent, with the potential for further loss of life and escalating tensions in the region (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6).

<h1>Democratic Lawmakers Urge Biden to Support Ceasefire in Israel-Hamas Conflict</h1>
A group of Democratic lawmakers, led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have written a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to support a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas (1, 2, 3, 4). The lawmakers expressed deep concern about the escalating war in Gaza, particularly the grave violations against children, and the potential for further loss of civilian life (1, 2, 3, 4).
<blockquote>
"We write to you to express deep concern about the intensifying war in Gaza, particularly grave violations against children, and our fear that without an immediate cessation of hostilities and the establishment of a robust bilateral ceasefire, this war will lead to a further loss of civilian life and risk dragging the United States into dangerous and unwise conflict with armed groups across the Middle East." - Excerpt from the letter to President Biden (3).
</blockquote>
The letter also highlights concerns about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the need for protection of children's rights in armed conflicts (1, 3). The lawmakers thanked Biden for pushing for humanitarian aid to Gaza but criticized Israel for its response and restrictions on assistance (1).
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has caused a divide within the Democratic Party, with progressive lawmakers differing from party leadership on Israel's response to the attacks by Hamas (2, 3). At least 32 members of Congress, including Ocasio-Cortez, have called for a ceasefire, according to data from the left-wing Working Families Party (5).
However, President Biden and other leading Democrats have dismissed calls for a ceasefire, instead advocating for temporary humanitarian pauses to distribute aid (2, 3, 4). House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, along with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, have rejected calls for a ceasefire and attended a pro-Israel rally (5).
The Israeli workforce has been significantly impacted by the ongoing war, with at least 18% off the job. In Gaza, six out of ten jobs have been lost, and 45% of homes have been damaged, contributing to a high poverty rate (6).
<blockquote>
"We strongly believe that a two-state solution remains the only genuine option to achieve a just, secure, and prosperous future for both Israelis and Palestinians." - Sen. Cory Booker and Rep. Dan Goldman (4).
</blockquote>
The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution expressing deep concern over the conflict's impact on civilians, especially children. The United States, United Kingdom, and Russia abstained from the vote. The resolution called for humanitarian pauses and corridors for rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access (6).
The Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., was evacuated during a pro-Palestinian rally where arrests were made. The group IfNotNow, which opposes U.S. support for Israel, accused officers of being violent toward demonstrators (6).
The future of the Israel-Hamas conflict remains uncertain. The divide within the Democratic Party reflects the complexity of the issue and the difficulty in finding a solution that satisfies all parties involved. As the conflict continues, the call for a ceasefire becomes increasingly urgent, with the potential for further loss of life and escalating tensions in the region (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6).

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Hamas

Gaza Conflict

Joe Biden

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Democratic Party

Ceasefire

A group of Democratic lawmakers, led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have written to President Biden urging him to support a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Democratic Lawmakers Urge Biden to Support Ceasefire in Israel-Hamas Conflict

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