Rep.SaludCarbajal
Rep. Carbajal continues to advocate for efforts to reach ceasefire deal and for passage of Senate-passed deal to fund humanitarian aid, national security priorities
Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) joined Congressmen Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and 26 colleagues in voicing support for President Joe Biden’s efforts to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas to bring hostages home and provide a pause in the fighting in Gaza. Israel has agreed to the framework of such a pause but Hamas has so far rejected it.
In a letter sent this week to President Joe Biden, the lawmakers note that a release of hostages with a temporary pause in fighting will allow desperately needed humanitarian relief to reach Palestinian civilians in Gaza. It goes on to state that Hamas must ultimately be removed from Gaza and its terrorist infrastructure replaced with neighborhoods, schools and quality jobs.
“A temporary pause in fighting will not only help release the hostages and give desperately needed relief to the millions of civilians displaced by this war, it can also open a path to permanently ending the conflict,” the lawmakers wrote. “Pausing the fighting and enabling sufficient delivery of food, water, medicine and other essential supplies will create a space for people to eventually return to their home communities, turning attention to recovery in the region. Ultimately, the terror infrastructure Hamas built, and the devastation wrought by the war Hamas started with its barbaric attack on October 7th, must be replaced with vibrant neighborhoods, quality schools, modern hospitals, and thriving industries providing quality jobs.”
The letter also calls for a “provisional recovery administration” in Gaza and states that there cannot be a permanent peace as “as long as Hamas, PIJ and other terrorist groups reign with terror in Gaza, or threaten Israel and its people.”
The lawmakers conclude their letter reiterating their belief that a permanent peace is possible, but only through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, with leadership from the United States similar to previous peace agreements signed (Egypt, Jordan and the Abraham Accords).
Earlier this year, Congressman Salud Carbajal signed onto a congressional resolution calling on the Biden Administration to help scale up efforts to deliver life-saving aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza, seek the renewal of the humanitarian ceasefires that had previously helped facilitate safe delivery of that aid, and secure the release of the remaining hostages.
He has also previously voiced concerns to President Joe Biden over Israel’s military operations and the need for a strategic approach that supports both the freeing of hostages and a political resolution that protects civilian life.
Rep. Carbajal has been a leading voice in the U.S. House of Representatives, as a Marine veteran and a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, in urging House Republican leadership to schedule a vote on the Senate-passed bipartisan national security supplemental that would provide humanitarian aid to Palestinian and Israeli civilians, additional security assistance to Ukraine and Israel, and funding to support efforts to restore peace in both Gaza and the Red Sea.
The full letter can be found here and below:
Dear President Biden:
We are encouraged by news of progress in negotiations to free hostages and pause the fighting in Gaza, and welcome your cautious optimism that a temporary ceasefire agreement may soon be achieved. We applaud your Administration’s work with Israel, Egypt, Qatar and others to advance progress in these talks and restore hope for a safe, secure and prosperous future for both Israelis and Palestinians.
We continue to insist that Hamas release all hostages and all bodies of murdered Israelis. We also continue to call on Israel to work with Egypt, the United States and others to facilitate the sustained entry of substantial humanitarian relief into Gaza.
A temporary pause in fighting will not only help release the hostages and give desperately needed relief to the millions of civilians displaced by this war, it can also open a path to permanently ending the conflict. Pausing the fighting and enabling sufficient delivery of food, water, medicine and other essential supplies will create a space for people to eventually return to their home communities, turning attention to recovery in the region. Ultimately, the terror infrastructure Hamas built, and the devastation wrought by the war Hamas started with its barbaric attack on October 7th, must be replaced with vibrant neighborhoods, quality schools, modern hospitals, and thriving industries providing quality jobs.
To achieve this outcome, the United States must work with Palestinians, Israelis, Egyptians and our allies to create a provisional recovery administration to secure Gaza until a permanent government can be established. The people of Gaza and Israel, and across the region, deserve hope for a chance to create a renewed, reimagined future for themselves and their children. Though success is far from easy or certain, hope for a better future will open the door to broader movement towards a permanent peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. It is critical to acknowledge that neither Palestinians nor Israelis will know such peace as long as Hamas, PIJ and other terrorist groups can reign with terror in Gaza or threaten Israel and its people. Nor can peace be achieved without Israel recognizing the legitimacy of Palestinian aspirations for self determination and freedom in the West Bank and Gaza.
We resolutely believe that peace is possible—that a Jewish democratic state of Israel can live within safety and security alongside a viable, democratic Palestinian state. As was true with previous agreements (i.e, Egypt, Jordan and the Abraham Accords), the path to peace requires an agreement directly negotiated between Israelis and Palestinians, supported and reinforced with U.S. leadership. We are fully committed to work with your Administration, Israel and the Palestinians to move toward that dream.
Thank you, Mr. Carbajal. It is past time for a ceasefire. Gaza has been decimated and is now occupied for all intents and purposes. The threat to Israel is nothing like it was 5 month ago. It’s time to let the hostages go and start rebuilding. How many more children need to starve to death? Let’s end this and start the healing.
However, I am honestly concerned, not saying I agree with it, that Biden could lose this election due to his behavior on this issue. So many far left (and not so far left) voters have vowed not to vote for him on account of his actions and lack of any conditions on US support. I truly hope people don’t make the horrible mistake of doing this though, as even a weak Biden is far better any day than you know what.