Summary
- Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro condemned starving Gaza
civilians.
- Called on U.S. leaders to boost humanitarian aid.
- Urged safe distribution of aid to Palestinian families.
- Highlighted urgent need amid worsening Gaza
humanitarian crisis.
- Stressed responsibility of the U.S. to ensure aid access.
Although Shapiro has previously called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "dreadful leader," he has also expressed disapproval of certain pro-Palestinian protests. He called Netanyahu's denial that children are starving "abhorrent" on Tuesday.
“The United States of America has a moral responsibility to flood the zone with aid and make sure those children that need to be fed get the food and the nourishment and the medicines that they need to be able to survive this,”
Shapiro told reporters at an event in
Lancaster County.
The remarks were made as public opinion has soured toward Israel's reaction to the October 2023 Hamas attacks and as
media reports of starvation in Palestinian territories have grown more
alarming. There are still notable proponents of Israel, such as U.S. Senator
John Fetterman. The fact that Shapiro is one of the most well-known Jewish
public leaders in the country and is viewed as a possible 2028 presidential
candidate adds significance to the remarks. Next year, he will run for governor
again.
During his remarks, which came at a township park where Shapiro met with students with disabilities to talk up his Labor Department’s work-rehabilitation program, Shapiro also demanded actions from the Palestinian group Hamas.
“Hamas continues to hold nearly 50 hostages — Israelis and, and multinationals. They need to return the hostages immediately,”
Shapiro told reporters.
“I think it is fair to say that I'm both praying for the return of the hostages and praying to make sure that these kids get fed in Gaza.
he said.
“My hope is these hostages come home immediately, that the war ends, these children be fed, and I think the United States of America has a moral obligation to see to it that they get the aid that they need.”
During those attacks, Hamas, a militant group
that is considered a terrorist organization by several nations, is said to have
killed 1,200 people and taken 251 hostages. Tens of thousands of Gazans have
been slain by Israel in response; according to latest figures, the death toll
in the region is estimated at 60,000.
Shapiro added that President Donald Trump "had
better be on the phone with Hamas trying to figure out how to get aid in there
to the starving people" if he is prepared to "break norms" and
engage in negotiations with the terrorist organization, as the US has done in
the past in an unsuccessful attempt to mediate a truce.
Shapiro also spoke on the lengthy negotiations over the state's budget, which has been past due for more than a month. He informed reporters that he will be meeting with Senate Republican leader Joe Pittman later on Tuesday after spending "about four hours" on Monday with Democratic state House leader Matt Bradford. To date, the state budget has been delayed, causing counties and schools to receive billions of dollars in late payments.
“ We're gonna continue to narrow the issues,”
Shapiro said.
“We're gonna continue to work through it, and I'm confident we're gonna get there.”
What actions is Shapiro urging U.S. leaders to take on Gaza aid?
Increase humanitarian aid shipments to Gaza and
ensure that aid is safely and effectively distributed to Palestinian civilian
families in need.
Support a ceasefire and pressure all parties,
including Israel and Hamas, to allow unfettered humanitarian access.
Encourage international coordination to improve
aid delivery mechanisms rather than relying on flawed or militarized systems
that restrict access and endanger civilians.
Shapiro condemns the starvation of civilians in
Gaza and calls for expanding aid to alleviate the worsening humanitarian
crisis, emphasizing safe distribution to those suffering from food shortages
and blockades.