In the aftermath of Israeli strikes, Palestinians comb through the rubble in the Gaza Strip seeking survivors on Monday. By. GETTY IMAGES/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
V.I. Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett on Friday addressed the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Palestine, condemning violence and advocating for peace and humanitarian efforts in the region.
Plaskett, having experienced the aftermath of September 11th and serving as a lawyer in the Justice Department during that period, expressed her commitment to protecting human rights and upholding democracy. "I condemn the Hamas attacks on innocent Israeli civilians," Plaskett stated, underscoring her empathy for the victims of violence in Gaza. "I am deeply concerned and heartbroken over the escalating violence that has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent Palestinian women, children, and men in Gaza," she added.
Reflecting on her diverse background from the Virgin Islands, Plaskett emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence among different religious and cultural communities. Her statement comes after a series of discussions with Jewish and Palestinian-Americans, where she expressed solidarity with both communities.
In her role as a member of the House of Representatives, Plaskett has called for a safe corridor for civilians and the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza. She expressed disappointment over the absence of humanitarian aid in the new House Speaker’s Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Bill, which passed largely along party lines.
Plaskett outlined key points from her recent discussions with congressional colleagues and administration officials:
- Condemning Hamas while supporting Israel's right to self-defense and advocating for a cessation of hostilities and safe passage for humanitarian aid.
- Acknowledging Israel's right to exist, critiquing military objectives, and expressing concerns about settler incursions in the West Bank.
- Addressing the weaponization of hate, which fuels domestic violence, including antisemitism, Islamophobia, and white supremacy.
"The administration and congressional leaders must use their power to bring Israeli and Palestinian leadership together for a long-term resolution to the conflict that can lead to a peaceful two-state solution," Plaskett concluded, signaling her goals for peace and equality in the region.
Background on the Conflict:
On October 7th, a significant incident took place as Hamas militants launched a cross-border attack into Israel, breaching the border fence and causing a surge of violence in civilian areas. The Washington Post reported that over 260 bodies were recovered at a single site, with the total number of casualties in Israel reaching at least 1,400 killed and 8,300 injured, including at least 32 U.S. nationals.
