Statement of Rep. Suzanne Bonamici on Path Forward for Israel and Gaza

WASHINGTON, DC [11/21/23] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) released the following statement:

We need a new path forward; a path that will save Israeli and Palestinian lives. The United States, a long-time supporter and ally of Israel, should clearly and strongly advocate to bring all of the hostages home, secure a substantial bilateral humanitarian pause or a bilateral ceasefire contingent on hostage return and bilateral compliance, increase humanitarian aid in the region, remove Hamas from controlling Gaza and hold them accountable, and work with global partners to secure a lasting peace through reconstruction of the region and the establishment of a negotiated two-state solution.

The terrorist attack against Israelis in their homes and communities on October 7^th was a brutal and deadly assault on innocent civilians, and there are still more than 230 men, women, and children held hostage by Hamas. The State of Israel has been a full member of the United Nations since 1949 and has the right to exist. As a sovereign nation, it also has the right and responsibility to respond to the terrorist attack and to defend and protect its citizens against more massacres, which Hamas has vowed to continue.

But over the past weeks we have seen that Israel’s response has resulted in too many Palestinian civilian deaths, many of them children, and the number continues to rise as Hamas abhorrently hides behind and under civilians in Gaza. And there is concern that Israel’s response may be putting the hostages at greater risk.

There must be a change; horrendous carnage to innocent civilians on both sides must not continue. The recent announcement that Israel and Hamas are close to a tentative deal to pause the conflict in exchange for the release of some of the hostages is promising, but not enough.

I support the US and global partners striving to achieve the following priorities:

1. Continuation of global pressure on Hamas to immediately release all of the hostages.
2. Negotiation of a substantial bilateral humanitarian pause or a bilateral ceasefire that is contingent on hostage return and bilateral compliance.
3. An immediate and robust increase in humanitarian aid to the civilian population of Gaza to mitigate further crises and loss of life.
4. The removal of Hamas from operational control of Gaza and prosecution of those responsible for the October 7^th attack under the rule of law.
5. An increase in diplomatic efforts to build a coalition of international partners who will advocate for and assist in implementing a negotiated two-state solution, along with robust rebuilding and reconstruction of the region, including Gaza and the West Bank.

I have no expectation that this will be easy. Hamas is a terrorist organization whose charter calls for the complete destruction of the State of Israel. Many attempts to make peace in the region have failed, but we must be hopeful and keep trying to impel all parties toward peace.

And I understand that decisions must be adopted and implemented by people and at levels far from a Member of Congress. But for the future – for Israeli and Palestinian people and their families – I am using my voice to call for an approach that saves lives and brings the region more international support; an approach that moves the region closer to a lasting peace in which Israelis and Palestinians can live safely without fear. We must not abandon the prospect of peace.

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