[Peace-discuss] Squeaks from the mice

[C. G. Estabrook]

[The obsequious tone is pretty off-putting, and it doesn't mention the greatest 
US/Israel crime in the matter, after the murderous assault itself: the 
continuing blockade designed to remove Hamas from any role in relief.  (The goal 
of the USG -- Bush & Obama -- and Israel from the beginning has been to destroy 
the elected Palestinian government and substitute the PA quislings for it; at 
least some of the congresspeople know that.)  But it's better than nothing. --CGE]

	OLVER LEADS CONGRESSIONAL EFFORT TO DRAW ATTENTION
	TO HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN GAZA
	61 Members of Congress join Olver in calling on the
	Administration to address overwhelming humanitarian needs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman John Olver today released a letter (text below) 
he sent with 61 other Members of Congress to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 
requesting immediate action by the United States to address the humanitarian 
crisis in Gaza.

The letter discusses the need for the opening of border crossing into Israel to 
allow supplies to enter Gaza, as well as for the critically ill to be 
transported out of Gaza to receive medical treatment. The letter also reminds 
the Administration that rebuilding Gaza will depend on the international 
community making significant financial contributions.

In the letter, the Representatives request that Secretary Clinton, or her staff, 
share with the signatories the actions take to date and the strategy that will 
be pursued to address the humanitarian crisis. The letter requests that 
conversation take place prior to Congress recessing on February 13, 2009.

Congressman John Olver said, “The eyes of the world cannot turn away now that 
there is a ceasefire in effect. The borders must be opened and the international 
community must ensure that the people of Gaza have the resources they need to 
treat their wounded and rebuild. While the situation on the ground is dire, the 
failure to address this humanitarian emergency has the potential to produce a 
crisis of even more unspeakable proportions.”


The text of the letter to Secretary Clinton follows:


Dear Secretary Clinton:


First, we would like to congratulate you on being sworn in as our nation’s 67th 
Secretary of State. We are very hopeful that this new era in American foreign 
policy upon which we embark can advance the cause of peace in the Middle East 
and beyond.


As strong supporters of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, we are writing 
to express our deep concern for the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and 
to request immediate action by the United States to address this crisis.  With 
the ceasefire now in effect, it is critical that the United States play a 
leading role in alleviating the suffering of civilians in Gaza and we 
respectfully urge your assistance in this task.


As you know, the situation on the ground is dire. The flow of humanitarian goods 
into the Gaza Strip is limited to food and medicine. Yet there exists a real 
need to allow for the importation of construction materials and fuel, which 
require the opening of crossings into Gaza. For example, only the Karni Crossing 
has the capacity for transporting large cargo, such as cement, but it remains 
closed.

In addition, in order to rebuild civilian infrastructure in Gaza the 
international community is going to have to make significant monetary 
contributions. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees 
in the Near East (UNRWA) estimates financial needs of nearly $350 million justto 
rebuild their own infrastructure and continue providing essential services to 
the Palestinians in Gaza.


We also remain especially concerned about the desperate condition of medical 
services in Gaza. Although Israel has begun to allow limited medical supplies 
into Gaza, the need far outweighs the availability while hospitals remain 
understaffed and ill-supplied. One of the most crucial steps that needs to be 
taken is for Israel to allow critically ill patients to be transported out of 
Gaza and into Israel, the West Bank and Jordan, where they may receive necessary 
medical care. We therefore urge you to express this concern directly to Israeli 
government officials.


In addition to the several thousand individuals who were physically injured 
during the recent military operations, we can expect to see a dramatic increase 
in the number of individuals suffering from psychological trauma. In order to 
help the population to begin rebuilding, we will need to further ensure that 
funds are used to provide adequate mental health services in Gaza.


Failure to address this humanitarian emergency has the potential to produce a 
crisis of even more unspeakable proportions. We therefore respectfully request 
that the State Department release emergency funds to UNRWA for reconstruction 
and humanitarian assistance. We believe the State Department can make funds 
available through accounts such as Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance 
(ERMA) and urge you to facilitate the transfer of funds as soon as possible.


We look forward to maintaining a productive and ongoing dialogue with the State 
Department and the Obama Administration regarding the United States response to 
the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Toward that end we respectfully request that 
you or your staff share with us prior to Congress recessing on February 13, 
2009, the actions taken to date and the strategy you will pursue to address the 
humanitarian crisis.


Finally, we know that addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a whole is 
a top priority of the Obama Administration and we applaud President Obama and 
you for your early and public commitment to meet this challenge. We also believe 
that the naming of former Senator George Mitchell as special envoy to the Middle 
East is commendable.  We believe the security interests of both Israel and the 
United States will be greatly enhanced by the establishment of a lasting peace 
between Israelis and Palestinians, and that United States involvement is 
indispensable in achieving that goal.   We stand ready to work with you as the 
Administration furthers these efforts.


Full List of Signatories to the Letter:


DAVID PRICE
LOIS CAPPS
KEITH ELLISON
SAM FARR
MAURICE D. HINCHEY
BARBARA LEE
JIM MORAN
EARL BLUMENAUER
LLOYD DOGGETT
JAMES P. MCGOVERN
GWEN MOORE
JIM MCDERMOTT
RAÚL M. GRIJALVA
PETE STARK
MICHAEL E. CAPUANO
PETER WELCH
DENNIS J. KUCINICH
DONALD M. PAYNE
LYNN C. WOOLSEY
JOHN D. DINGELL
MAXINE WATERS
DIANE E. WATSON
ANDRÉ CARSON
DONNA F. EDWARDS
JOHN LEWIS
CAROLYN C. KILPATRICK
GLENN C. NYE
HENRY C. JOHNSON
JOE SESTAK
BOB FILNER
STEPHEN F. LYNCH
JOHN F. TIERNEY
RUSH D. HOLT
BETTY MCCOLLUM
GEORGE MILLER
NICK J. RAHALL
YVETTE D. CLARKE
WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT
LORETTA SANCHEZ
ROSA L. DELAURO
MIKE THOMPSON
BRIAN BAIRD
PETER A. DEFAZIO
CHRISTOPHER MURPHY
MARY JO KILROY
THOMAS PERRIELLO
JOHN CONYERS JR.
NEIL ABERCROMBIE
GERALD E. CONNOLLY
EARL POMEROY
ANNA G. ESHOO
JACKIE SPEIER
MICHAEL M. HONDA
JOHN A. YARMUTH
BRUCE BRALEY
TAMMY BALDWIN
JAMES L. OBERSTAR
ERIC J.J. MASSA
MICHAEL H. MICHAUD
MARCY KAPTUR
BILL PASCRELL, JR