U.S. urged to stop Israeli terrorism in Gaza

The military action by Israel in the Gaza Strip is designed to terrorize the civilian population.  This is openly acknowledged by Israeli officials.  It is being condemned by human rights groups in Israel and around the world. Rep. Cardin has been a staunch, consistent and unwavering supporter of Israel.  He has voted for the military equipment and financial aid that provides Israel with the ability to terrorize Palestinian civilians.  It is now time for him, and others in the U.S. government, to speak out against Israel’s actions.

 This is an email I (Kevin B. Zeese) sent to Rep. Ben Cardin.  Mr. Cardin is running for the U.S. Senate in Maryland as a Democrat.  I am also running for that U.S. Senate seat in a Unity Campaign where I have been nominated by three parties — Green, Libertarian, and Populist — and have members of the Republican, Democratic Parties on my campaign committee along with independents.

June 26, 2006

Rep.  Ben Cardin

2207 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Via email

 

Dear Rep. Cardin:

 

You have been a staunch supporter of Israel. As you know I am a candidate for U.S. Senate in Maryland, an office you are also seeking.  At recent candidate forums your wife and other spokespersons for your campaign (speaking for you since you were not present), have noted how you tell any country who wants to trade with the United States that they must trade with Israel and they noted your consistent support for Israel.

 

Indeed, I cannot ever recall you criticizing the actions of Israel in your nearly two decades in Congress.

 

Your voice is needed now.  Israel is amassing a massive military force on the border of the Gaza Strip in reaction to the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier.  The Prime Minister has ordered a “comprehensive and ongoing military action.”  This is sure to be a bloody attack that will result in widespread civilian casualties.  Please use your voice to urge Israel to negotiate rather than add to the violence.

 

While I am opposed to Palestinian violence, as it is counterproductive to the goal of a viable Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution, certainly you are aware that Israeli violence against Palestinians has led to this point.  Hamas had kept a promise of no violence for 18 months until recent Israeli killings of civilians.  Surely you are aware of the state-based terrorism of Israel against the Palestinian people that led to this escalation of violence, including:

 

– The weeks of shelling by the Israeli army in Gaza. This has included the firing of hundreds of missiles into the crowded Strip resulting in the destruction of Palestinian lives and property, and terrorizing the civilian population.

 

– The killing of more than 30 Palestinian civilians, and dozens of injuries to Palestinian civilians, in the past few weeks at the hands of the Israeli military, including three children killed in an air strike last week, as well as a pregnant woman and her brother, a doctor, killed a day later as a missile slammed into the room where they were eating dinner.

 

– The blockade of Gaza’s “borders” by the Israeli army for months on end, which has prevented Palestinians in Gaza from trading goods and receiving vital supplies of food and medicine. As a result of the Israeli action the civilian population of Gaza is facing a humanitarian crisis.

 

– Israel’s bullying of the international community, including the United States, to deny the starving of the Hamas-led government of funds and diplomatic options, thereby making it impossible for the elected Palestinian leadership to run the Gaza Strip.

 

– The violation of Palestinian territory by Israeli commandos who infiltrated Gaza a day before the Palestinian attack to kidnap two Palestinians who Israel claims are ‘terrorists.’ They are now missing, no doubt held in detention, without access to lawyers, and the courts.

 

Certainly, you understand how these actions of Israel have provoked the current dispute that is leading to a likely slaughter of Palestinians.  It is as if Israel’s policies are designed to create opportunities for further destruction of the Palestinian people.  This has been the long-term reality of Israeli policy.  The front-line members of the reserve combat officers and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces who refuse to fight in the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories described this reality vividly in their “Combatant’s Letter” saying:

 

We shall not continue to fight beyond the 1967 borders in order to dominate, expel, starve and humiliate an entire people.

 

While you are only one voice, as a long-term stalwart supporter of Israel, someone who has never been a critic, your voice right now could make a difference in saving lives and stopping the escalation of violence. It is important for Israel to see that not everyone in Washington, DC — especially a long-term supporter of Israel like you — dances to the Israeli tune no matter how abhorrent