حرية لفلسطين

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in an email response to me:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the horrific October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel, and the heartbreaking and devastating conditions in Israel and Gaza. I extend my deepest condolences to everyone who has been affected by this brutal violence.

      The leadership of Hamas continues to state clearly that their goal is the complete annihilation of Israel. While Israel has the right to defend itself against the ongoing threat posed by Hamas, they also have an obligation to follow laws of conflict, minimize harm to civilians, and support the flow of humanitarian assistance. These points are critical, and I have joined a number of my colleagues and President Biden in pressing the Israeli government on them.

      I am very concerned about the current humanitarian situation in Gaza, which leaves more than two million individuals in dire need of assistance. Even before the October 7 terrorist attacks and subsequent response, close to 1.2 million people in Gaza had been relying on UN and broader humanitarian aid in the face of basic needs shortages. I was glad to see President Biden’s announcement of $100 million in U.S. funding towards humanitarian aid, and on October 18, I joined a number of my Senate colleagues in pushing the State Department to make a strong funding commitment in response to the emergency appeal by the United Nations.

      I have supported and called for extension of the truces that have allowed for the release of some of the hostages, and enabled increased delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians. Continued dialogue to pause the fighting and allow for the space and time to support these efforts is vital.

      Funding for humanitarian assistance is critical, as is access. Efforts continue to increase the number of trucks that are providing aid into Gaza, and the United States must continue to press for greater aid distribution, along with conditions that will allow for heightened ability of humanitarian organizations to safely reach innocent populations who most desperately need this assistance.  I, along with several of my colleagues in the Senate continue to work with the State Department to push for this assistance and for safe passage for those seeking this humanitarian relief.

      I am also concerned about threats to West Bank stability, including growing instances of extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank by Israeli settlers. These attacks, which target Palestinians and seek to evict them from their homes and destroy property, carry the potential to provoke a broader conflict and widespread violence. On November 7, I joined a number of my Senate colleagues in writing to President Biden, urging that the U.S. enhance diplomatic efforts to prevent further violence and forcible displacement in the West Bank.

      In discussing this conflict, let us be clear – Hamas terrorists do not represent the interests of innocent Palestinians, who in fact have suffered under Hamas control. Nor do they reflect Palestinian American or Muslim communities. This conflict has inflamed hateful Islamophobic and antisemitic actions and rhetoric that cannot be tolerated, and must continue to be called out.  I will continue to call out these actions, and support federal initiatives to address this hateful behavior, and support our nation’s religious communities.

      As part of this effort, on November 17, I sent a letter to U.S. Department of Education (DOE) Secretary Miguel Cardona, to urge the Department to take additional steps to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia on college and university campuses. I have specifically called on DOE to expand their Antisemitism Awareness Campaign, craft an Islamophobia Awareness Campaign, conduct additional outreach to these minority student communities, and provide additional resources from the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights.

      I have also been concerned by reports from a number of federal employees in Virginia, expressing fears about censorship and reprisal resulting from their sharing of views related to the conflict and humanitarian crisis. On November 16, I sent a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Office of Special Counsel, urging clear guidance for employees, and protection from retaliation for expressing their views in line with that guidance. As federal employees – many of whom have personal connections to the conflict – continue to serve their country with dignity and professionalism through this challenging period, it is essential that they be offered clear and transparent guidance on their right to self-expression as employees of the United States government.

      I appreciate the time you have taken to share your views with me, and as Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, you may be assured that I will continue to monitor this situation closely, and will work with the President, our intelligence community, and our international allies and partners to continue support for the innocent Palestinian and Israeli civilians.

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