ANOTHER TRAIL OF TEARS PAID BY MY TAX DOLLARS - STOP THE GENOCIDE NOW

Another modern day trail of tears unfolds, again and again in occupied-Palestine. As of 5/17, over 630,000 people have fled Rafah to try and avoid being murdered by Israel's genocidal onslaught. All Palestinians are being starved to death. There is no fuel, supplies, food, water, medical care - many have to leave on foot. And to where? Several confusing orders were given, but the most clear was the Al-Mawasi area where Israel lied saying there was an "expanded humanitarian area". This wasn't true on 5/6 when Israel said it and it's not true now. Many have headed to Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and other areas near Khan Younis. Unicef spokesman James Elder advised, "There's nowhere to go. Khan Younis, let's be clear, is rubble...It's not a little bit destroyed, it's utterly devastated.” Elder went on to advise that, “Deir al-Balah… has now got raw sewage running through the streets...al-Mawasi is a beach...we're starting to hit summer...We've already had reports of children dying of dehydration. So when we're told that people should move to humanitarian zones, that's a terrifying irony when humanitarians aren't working in these zones...[but] of course, families will move. They will move because they will move or be bombed.” As of 5/17, approximately 35,300 - 43,600 Palestinians have been murdered by Israel since 10/7. Unfortunately, these numbers are only the best current estimate. The lower number that's been verified is likely an undercount. Gaza's healthcare system has been decimated and they've been unable to uncover, identify, and count all the dead. The higher number comes from EuroMed Human Rights Monitor, who includes those who have been reported missing and presumed dead under the rubble. These estimates don't truly capture the scale of death and suffering. It's unconscionable every second that you allow this to continue. I demand that you:  – Hold Israel accountable for a permanent, immediate ceasefire, their violations of the Genocide Convention, and gross human rights violations by any means necessary – Call for the immediate end of Israel’s occupation and apartheid and support Palestinians in their fight for freedom and peace – Secure the immediate release and safety of all Palestinians who have been abducted and held captive by Israel, including those whose indefinite detention began prior to 10/7 – Permanently end all monetary, diplomatic, and military aid given to Israel and enforce Leahy Law – Reallocate all funds given to Israel and commit additional resources for ongoing humanitarian relief for Palestinians starting with immediately resuming funding of UNRWA – Immediately withdraw all U.S. troops, military assets, and all other assets deployed throughout the Middle East and cease all actions that further escalate a larger regional conflict – Pass legislation that voids all anti-BDS laws at the federal level – Vote no on H.R. 7521 and any similar legislation proposed