Washington, DC – Following the release of a J Street-backed letter signed by 96 House Democrats urging the Netanyahu government to end its “morally wrong” and “strategically counterproductive” blockade of all food, shelter, medicine and other humanitarian supplies from entering Gaza, J Street Director of Government Affairs Hannah Morris said:
“As Jews and as Americans, this humanitarian blockade is a painful violation of our values. It’s meaningful not only that so many members signed on and are speaking out, but also that the signers include so many prominent Jewish representatives and rising leaders in the Democratic Party.
Families in Gaza should not be made to pay for Hamas’ vile crimes. World Central Kitchen should be able to continue baking bread and doctors should not have to operate without anesthetics. Experts warn this blockade is endangering the hostages in Gaza while isolating Israel from partners and allies. As the letter makes clear, there was a hostage deal that was working, bringing the hostages home, and we should try everything we can to return to it.
The letter condemns Hamas’ barbarity, shares pain over the October 7 attacks, amplifies the voices of hostage families, and reaffirms support for Israel’s legitimate security concerns alongside the call for humanitarian aid access.
Jewish tradition teaches that even in times of war, we are commanded to offer bread and water to our enemies. The Torah demands that we uphold human dignity and safeguard life. I can’t fathom how anyone can see images of malnourished children, skin and bones, and not be outraged that food and medical supplies are sitting in trucks just a few miles away blocked at the border. We have to be better than this. We can’t stay silent as Netanyahu drags us deeper into a moral and strategic abyss.
Our deepest thanks go to Representatives Ami Bera and Salud Carbajal for their work on this letter, and their ongoing pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy leadership.”