An Open Letter

To: Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez, Sen. Cantwell, Sen. Murray

From: A verified voter in Vancouver, WA

August 27

I write to you today not as a political theorist, a policy-maker, or an expert in international relations, but rather as a deeply concerned and perturbed fellow human being. The point of contention that compels me to put these thoughts in writing is the escalation of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The imagery filtering out of Gaza fills me with profound sorrow – children caught in the crossfire, homes ravaged, and lives broken. What makes the situation even more devastating is the realization that some of the weapons used in this senseless conflict are financed and supplied by the United States, my very own homeland. Investing in a conflict of such nature, especially one rooted in deep ethnic and historical complexities, is like stoking a firefly into a raging inferno. What justifies the reinforcement of the cycle of violence with such militancy and relentless resource-dedication? What good does it serve to humanity? The calls that ring out are ones of peace, justice, and unity, which are paradoxically met with the answering sounds of gunfire and the sight of smoke-filled skies. The financial and military support extended to Israel seems to directly contradict the United States' long-cherished and globally recognized ideals of human rights, equality, and democracy. This isn't just a cry for a ceasefire or an appeal to starve the conflict of its wherewithal. It is a plea for a reconsideration of our stance, our values, and the impact our decisions have on countless lives. It is about making moral choices about what we stand for as a nation and as a member of the global community. It entails recognizing the bleeding reality of the Palestinian people, to refuse to be complicit in the mass suffering that unfolds day after day. I implore you with all earnestness and desperation to reconsider the policies that facilitate and fund the continuation of these atrocities. In the name of humanity, let's take a path that leads to reconciliation and peace, not further conflict and despair.

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