Tell Congress: Help End the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

There is an urgent need to alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. A debilitating lack of power, potable water, jobs and adequate medical care have plagued the Palestinian coastal enclave for far too long, fueling violence and despair.

To address some of the underlying causes of these crises, Reps. Mark Pocan, Barbara Lee, Jan Schakowsky and John Yarmuth are calling on their colleagues to join them in urging the State Department to:

Restore funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has been frozen by President Trump
Encourage the easing of restrictions on people, goods and equipment across the Gaza border.

In their call for action by the US and Israel, these representatives make absolutely clear that Hamas bears a great deal of the responsibility for the current situation. But they also note that action by the US and Israel to alleviate the crisis can weaken Hamas and other extremist groups that seize on the populace's despair to fuel anger and violence against Israel. The letter cites IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot's warning that the devolving humanitarian situation poses a serious threat to Israeli security.

Recent events add to the urgency of addressing the desperate conditions in Gaza. Tell your representative to help end the humanitarian crises by joining this important call for action.

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I want to stand up and be counted as a J Street Member

Dear Representative --

As a constituent, I am concerned about the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and what it means for the Palestinian people and Israel’s security.

Residents of Gaza are faced with a severe lack of power, drinkable water and medical aid. The US has the power to help provide support to Gaza’s most vulnerable residents while mitigating the despair that can lead to violence.

Please sign onto the dear colleague letter authored by Reps. Mark Pocan, Barbara Lee, Jan Schakowsky and John Yarmuth urging the State Department to help alleviate this crisis by restoring funding to UNRWA and encouraging Israel to ease restrictions on the movement of goods and people across the Gaza border.

FOOTNOTES

You can read the text of the letter here.