FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 2, 2009
Contact: Dan Weber
(202) 225-8699Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) released the following statement regarding the violence in Gaza.
"I am deeply disturbed by this week's escalation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, as I have been by the ongoing rocket fire into southern Israel. To support Israel and to ease the humanitarian crisis facing the people of Gaza, the United States must work actively for an immediate ceasefire that ends the violence, stops the rockets, and removes the blockade of Gaza.
"Israel
has a right to protect its citizens, but I remain convinced that
military measures have only a limited role to play -- a political and
diplomatic resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the only
way to stop the violence permanently and bring long-term stability to
the region. As Americans, we too have a
strong interest in ensuring peace, stability, and security in the
Middle East and that is why I am committed to supporting active
American diplomacy in the region, working together with partners in the
international community, from the earliest days of President-elect
Obama's administration. America should not sit on the sidelines, as we
are doing today -- this does a disservice to our own national interests
and security and is unhelpful in bringing stability and security to
Israel and the Middle East."
