Some things I understand; some things I don’t
I understand my friend saying she can’t bear to watch the news from Gaza – it’s too painful. I understand that Palestine and Israel have a long history, with rights and wrongs, attack and revenge and suffering, on both sides. I understand that one terrible day of violence in October 2023 led to more and more atrocities, multiplying the pain, escalating the injustice, leading to hunger, death and ethnic cleansing of the civilian population.
But I don’t understand how the US government can keep sending weapons to Israel. I don’t understand why my country continues to support an army that blocks food, water and medicine. I don’t understand almost two years of bombing leading to the injuries and deaths of so many civilians, including children.
I don’t understand why the United States is still sending missiles and bullets, instead of desperately needed supplies.
I don’t understand why my elected leaders, who seem to be good, caring people, do not speak out to help the people of Gaza.
I ask my Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan to support the introduction of legislation to stop unconditional weapons shipments to Israel (“Block the Bombs”) in the Senate, and to speak out for the children of Gaza.
I ask my Congressional Representative, Maggie Goodlander to support HR473, food assistance to Gaza, and HR3565, the Block the Bombs Act, and to speak out before more children die.
I ask all those reading this to call your elected representatives and urge them to act. I understand it is hard to look at this, but I don’t understand that any of us, as children or parents, sisters or brothers, people of faith or people with a conscience, can look away.