Friday, March 8, 2024
SCR13 / SR6: Urging Members of Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation to Support the Ceasefire in Gaza Resolution Introduced by U.S. Congresswoman Cori Bush
Testifying in Support of a Ceasefire in Gaza
Aloha Chair Wakai, Vice Chair Elefante, and Members of the Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee:
I am Jewish. And I acknowledge the goal of Hamas is the eradication of Jews and the Jewish State. But my Judaism will not and cannot excuse Israel’s vengeful over-reaction and retaliation against Hamas for their attack on October 7th.
As a human and citizen of the world, I will not and cannot support nor condone the egregiously bloody and senseless violence being waged against the people of Gaza in the name of self-preservation.
As a pacifist and someone who does not acknowledge the notion of “just war,” the violence committed by Hamas against Israelis cannot be condoned. But to compare the actions of Hamas on equal footing with that of a nation with the 17th most powerful military in the world1 would be wholly unreasonable.
That Hamas shields itself behind innocent Palestinians cannot excuse Israel’s brutal assault.
Just last night, President Biden acknowledged that 30,000 innocent Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of this senseless conflict. Anyone who believes that the Israeli IDF can eradicate Hamas in Gaza is either naive or using that goal as an excuse to wage war against a helpless people.
Violence begets violence. Those Palestinians who somehow survive are just as likely to seek vengeance against Israel’s most recent acts of cruelty by an Israeli leader and military hell-bent on war.
This cannot be the solution. After all the senseless killing comes to an end, however long it takes to get to that point, talking will come next. Diplomacy will come next to settle the terms of the ceasefire.
Pressure needs to be exerted by the United States, Israel’s closest ally. We need our congressional delegation to stand up for the innocent lives under assault, support in strong terms a ceasefire, and bring an end to the brutality and cruelty of Israel and the IDF.
Should your eyes come to rest momentarily on my testimony, please take a few extra minutes and watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJP9o4BEziI. Doctor Who is one of my favorite science fiction shows. In this clip, he talks about the senselessness of war. The context isn’t important, but it truly reflects my own thinking on war in general and the current conflict in Gaza.
Please support this resolution and add your voices to the chorus calling for an end to the current violence taking place in Gaza.
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.