1. United States
2. Conn.
3. Letter

Israel's ongoing military attacks and blockade of Gaza are fueling a polio crisis that threatens hundreds of thousands of children in the besieged territory. With polio vaccination rates plummeting and a baby already paralyzed by the virus, urgent action is needed to facilitate the distribution of lifesaving vaccines. Israel must immediately lift the blockade on Gaza and ensure full humanitarian access as ordered by the International Court of Justice. The USA should use leverage like targeted sanctions and arms embargoes to compel Israel's compliance. An arms embargo against Israel is also warranted given its indiscriminate bombardment of civilians and infrastructure which violates international law. The alternative is allowing a preventable disease to spread uncontrolled among an already suffering population and potentially spread to the USA. This grave health emergency underscores the moral and legal imperative to end the cruel siege. Source: www.palestinechronicle.com/lift-blockade-immediately-hrw-warns-israeli-onslaught- fueling-polio-crisis-in-gaza/