J Street welcomes President Obama’s decision to release $20.3 million from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance (ERMA) Fund to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. These funds will provide the civilian population of Gaza with the food, medicine, shelter, employment, and other necessities they need in the wake of Operation Cast Lead.
This action, on the heels of a letter signed by sixty-four members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging immediate action to ease the pressing humanitarian crisis, is a sign of America’s renewed commitment to leadership in the Middle East, and in particular to helping to alleviate human suffering.
J Street sees an easing of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza – including the opening of the border crossings for shipments of food, medicine, fuel, and other essentials – as critical to achieving a sustainable ceasefire, which will promote the security of Israel and the interests of the United States.