1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my profound outrage and concern regarding the Israeli military's violent actions against UN workers who were en route to administer polio vaccinations to children in Gaza. This deplorable act of aggression, including tank fire and bulldozer attacks on a clearly marked UN convoy, represents not only a violation of international law but an assault on the basic human rights of Palestinian children. On September 9, 2024, an Israeli military convoy opened fire on a United Nations convoy in Gaza. The UN workers were attempting to deliver polio vaccines—critical medicine that protects vulnerable populations from life-threatening disease. Despite clear identification, Israeli forces used tanks and bulldozers to halt the convoy, endangering both UN personnel and civilians (https://truthout.org/articles/israeli-tanks-bulldozer-attack-un-convoy-en-route-to-support-polio-vaccination/). UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric recently stated, “We are deeply concerned by the attack on our convoy that was clearly marked and on a mission to deliver life-saving vaccines. Such incidents violate international law and severely hinder our efforts to provide essential humanitarian assistance to Gaza’s most vulnerable populations.” This clear condemnation underscores the severity of the Israeli military's actions and the impact on the already dire situation in Gaza. This is not an isolated incident, but part of a disturbing trend of Israeli military operations undermining humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Under the guise of "security concerns," these acts of violence have devastated the capacity of international organizations to provide aid to a population that has been systematically oppressed, blockaded, and denied access to basic necessities. The use of intimidation and lethal force against UN workers reflects an alarming disregard for international conventions aimed at protecting non-combatants and humanitarian workers in conflict zones. The Israeli government’s behavior is a flagrant violation of multiple international laws, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, which mandates the protection of civilians in conflict zones. Their actions also constitute a gross violation of the rights of children to health and life, as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. I urge you, as an elected official, to take immediate action. It is imperative that the U.S. government hold Israel accountable for its systematic violations of human rights and international law. These actions should include, but not be limited to, pushing for an independent international investigation into the incident, demanding an end to the blockade of Gaza, and conditioning military aid to Israel on compliance with international humanitarian law. The children of Gaza, like children everywhere, have the right to health, security, and freedom from fear. I look forward to your decisive action on this issue.