Press Release
Posted:
Washington – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) released the following statement on the ongoing crisis in Israel and Palestine.
“My top priorities for the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza are to secure the release of hostages currently under Hamas control and to protect Israel from further terrorist attacks. As Hamas continues its around-the-clock missile attacks in Israel, a ceasefire without security for Israel would only benefit Hamas terrorists by allowing them to consolidate and carry out future attacks.
“However, I support efforts to ensure humanitarian aid can enter Gaza, whether that means the establishment of humanitarian corridors or humanitarian pauses. There are innocent civilians who have nothing to do with the conflict in the region, and I stand unequivocally for the protection of all civilian life. We must work to prevent additional conflict and pursue a durable and lasting peace.
“Israel needs to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties and ensure that civilians are not in harm’s way and Hamas should also be held accountable for its use of the Palestinian people as human shields. Food, water, medicine, and other essential humanitarian assistance must be able to flow into Gaza and to the people who need them. Preventing a humanitarian crisis must be a priority, and I call on Israel to ensure that they are minimizing attacks that put civilians in danger.”