Statement from Rep. Dan Goldman

“The current crisis in Gaza shocks the conscience. The international community — especially Israel and the United States — must immediately put an end to this humanitarian catastrophe.  

  

“It is clear that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s personal and political interests are guiding Israel’s actions, rather than what is best for the Israeli people or for the nation of Israel. He is beholden to the extreme right, whose support he needs to remain in power, which, in turn, is helpful to defend against his corruption case. 

  

“This week’s developments are especially disturbing. Prime Minister Netanyahu fired the Attorney General overseeing his corruption case, removed a member of his party who opposes an unpopular plan pushed by the extreme right, and announced an intended occupation of Gaza. To the extent a full occupation is indeed his plan, it is not only morally reprehensible, but it is also opposed by Israeli military and national security leaders as well as the Israeli people.  

  

“Since the Biden temporary ceasefire agreement ended in March, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s ineffective military operation in Gaza has only led to more unnecessary deaths. Worse yet, his decision to restrict humanitarian aid from entering Gaza has led to unacceptable mass starvation of Palestinians civilians. No matter the reason — including as a response to Hamas stealing aid from its own civilians, which must be accounted for — Israel is a democracy that abides by the rule of law and simply cannot allow such a humanitarian crisis to occur. 

  

“For the sake of the people of Israel and Gaza - including the hostages remaining in subhuman conditions in tunnels in Gaza - the international community must unite to bring an end to this war, release the hostages, and flood Gaza with aid.  

  

“That must include unified international pressure on Hamas, which has rejected every internationally-supported ceasefire proposal, to release the hostages. Diplomatic recognition before the release of all of the hostages only serves to reward the terrorist group responsible for the October 7 massacre and incentivizes Hamas to resist a ceasefire/hostage agreement, prolonging the suffering of the hostages and Palestinian civilians. 

  

“Fundamentally, Prime Minister Netanyahu must stop putting his own personal interests ahead of the state of Israel’s. The sacredness of human life and Israel’s sacrosanct place as a democracy and safe haven for the Jewish people are simply too important to be sacrificed on the altar of political self-interest.”