Bernie Sanders Initiates Congressional Letter Urging Trump to Change Gaza Policy In Light of Protest

The senator writes that Gaza's 'lack of power' and other humanitarian basics 'exacerbates' tensions - and gives Hamas excuse to 'incite violence against Israel'

Amir Tibon (Washington) Apr 13, 2018

Excerpt:

WASHINGTON - Senator Bernie Sanders is circulating a letter among members of Congress urging the Trump administration to take steps to improve the humanitarian and economic conditions in Gaza in light of the recent violence on the Israel-Gaza border.

The letter, which began circulating Friday, states that Gaza's "lack of power, clean water, adequate medical care and other necessities not only exacerbates the hardships faced by Gaza’s population, but redounds to the benefit of extremist groups who use this deprivation and despair to incite violence against Israel."

It also quotes a UN report published in 2012 that estimated that, "if current trends continued, Gaza would become unlivable," and a subsequent report from last year that said, "that day might have already come... water pollution is among the factors causing a dramatic increase in kidney problems among Gaza’s population."

On a policy level, Sanders' letter reccomands that in order to avoid further conflict and to improve the conditions in the Strip, the United States should, as a first step, "restore its funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees." Sanders ends the letter by stating that "for the sake of Israelis and Palestinians alike, the United States must act urgently to help relieve the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip."

https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-bernie-sanders-initiates-letter-urging-trump-to-change-gaza-policy-1.5995259