Summary
- Rep. Mike Quigley calls for U.S. recognition of
Palestinian state.
- Expresses horror over Israel killing Palestinian
Americans, media silence.
- Criticizes Gaza humanitarian aid handling, urges
independent international assistance.
- Calls for strict oversight of U.S. aid to Israel.
- Warns Israeli settler violence must be prosecuted and sanctioned.
The 2009-elected Democrat told Arab News that
Israel's "genocide" in Gaza and their sacrifices are igniting a
renewed movement for peace.
On Monday, twelve members of the House of
Representatives signed a draft letter urging the United States to recognize
Palestinian statehood.
Quigley, a co-chair of the Ukraine Caucus and a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, expressed his "deep horror" at the photos and accounts emanating from Gaza.
“How war is comported is as important as the reasons you fight the war, and at some point you just have to disagree with your friends and tell them, ‘This has to stop,’”
he said, adding that the conflict and the killing of Palestinian Americans are impacting US public opinion.
“A lot of my colleagues … want to support Israel, a critical ally … but they’re struggling and agonized,”
Quigley said,
adding that the rhetoric from Israel’s government and the deaths in Gaza have
“dramatically” changed how Americans view the conflict.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has
“emboldened” extremists, Quigley said, adding that Israel’s government includes
“the farthest right, evil, dark people who are talking about things that can
only be described as ethnic cleansing.”
Quigley continued:
“One of the greatest values in being viewed as a moderate is that when I say something, at this point, hopefully it can carry more weight. That’s what I’m hoping.”
He said the
conflict is a “wake-up call” for everyone, including Israelis.
Quigley demanded the immediate closure of the
US-Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has drawn more criticism
for the deaths of Palestinians at several of its distribution locations.
GHF operations “violate fundamental humanitarian principles,” and the foundation “has proven incapable of safely delivering the humanitarian aid necessary to prevent mass starvation,” he said.
“All future aid provided by the US to Israel must face stringent oversight and review,”
he added, denouncing the “serious escalation” in violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, where hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in the past two years, including five US citizens.
“Israeli settler encroachment in the West Bank should come to an immediate end, violations and violence must be prosecuted fully by the Israeli government, and the US government should sanction all perpetrators of this instability,”
Quigley said.
“Israelis and Palestinians will never be secure if the Israeli government continues to prevent the Palestinian people from having basic rights and dignity, with a state of their own, alongside Israel.”
What steps should the U.S. take to recognize a Palestinian state?
The U.S. would officially recognize the State of
Palestine as a sovereign entity, endorsing its statehood status on the borders
prior to the Six-Day War (1967), with East Jerusalem as its capital as claimed
by Palestinian authorities.
Since Palestine is recognized by about 147 UN
member states with observer state status, the U.S. could support or abstain
from vetoing future moves by Palestine for full UN membership and other forms
of international recognition.
Opening or upgrading formal diplomatic channels
in Ramallah or East Jerusalem, such as embassies or consulates, would signify
practical acknowledgment.