As the Israel-Gaza war reached its one-year anniversary on October 7, 2024, with growing concerns about escalating regional conflict in the Middle East, Indian American lawmakers urged immediate action to secure a ceasefire, facilitate the release of hostages, and prioritize diplomatic efforts for peace.
In a video message, Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington) highlighted the growing fears of a broader regional war, emphasizing the need for long-term peace and rebuilding in the region.
“As tensions continue to rise and innocent civilians are killed around the region, we must be clear that our work is both on the global stage, but also right here at home in our communities with each other through conversation and understanding through empathy and solidarity,” she emphasized. “Let us respect the generational trauma that unites so many otherwise diverse populations. Let us lead with our hearts to denounce hate, to recognize today the very specific trauma of October 7th for our Jewish community and to recommit ourselves to working for a true and sustained peace for all people.”
Rep. Jayapal reaffirmed her firm stance in favor of a ceasefire and the release of all hostages, urging an immediate halt to the killing of innocent Palestinians in Gaza. She also called for a negotiated peace agreement that guarantees true accountability, along with “security and self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians.”
She warned that if the current situation continues, “no one can be safe,” as more innocent civilians—Israeli, Palestinian, Lebanese, and others—will lose their lives.
She reminded that one year after October 7th, “I continue to push for this outcome to save as many lives as possible. This past year has been filled with so much devastation and loss, including 40,000 Palestinians who have been killed and over 90,000 who have been injured and thousands of Israelis displaced from their homes.”
Rep. Pramila Jayapal emphasized her commitment to meeting with the families of hostages, including those in her own district, to listen to their stories and acknowledge their grief.
As a parent, she shared “I have wept with those parents who braved the unbearable pain of not knowing what had happened to their children, to summon the resilience, courage and determination to come and advocate to Congress,” urging the U.S. government to do everything possible to bring them home.
She also highlighted that in her home state of Washington and across the country, the Jewish community has been deeply affected by “grief, fear, and trauma.” She pointed out the alarming rise in hate crimes targeting Jewish Americans, even in sacred spaces such as synagogues and other places of worship.
She urged all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, to unite, stating, “There is no protection for any of us unless we fight for all of us.”
Quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she emphasized, “An injustice against one is an injustice against all.” She expressed her commitment to achieving peace through diplomacy, arguing that responding to violence with more violence harms innocent civilians and deepens hatred, making it even harder to attain peace and security for everyone involved.
Referring to the “deadliest attack” one year ago, Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Michigan), said “Iran and its proxies are a constant threat to the Israeli people, and the United States is committed to the support and protection of our democratic allies. We must bring the hostages home to their families and prevent further bloodshed in this embattled region.”
Rep. Ami Bera (D-California) conveyed “As we mark this solemn anniversary and the devastation of the past year, let us not lose sight of peace,” adding “We must continue working to secure a ceasefire deal that reunites the hostages with their families, allows civilians in Israel to feel more safe and secure, and for the Palestinian people to live in peace and dignity.”
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Illinois) described the “brutal attack,” which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 innocent individuals, including 46 Americans, and left hundreds more taken hostage. He said currently, more than 100 hostages remain unaccounted for.
“As we seek an end to the violence in the Middle East, we also reiterate our commitment to supporting Israel’s security and bringing all the remaining hostages home safely,” Rep. Krishnamoorthi added. “We will not rest until a ceasefire deal in Gaza is struck that brings all the hostages’ home, guarantees Israel’s security, ensures humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, and ends this war.”
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California) expressed his condolences for the innocent lives lost and urged the immediate release of all hostages. He specifically mentioned Hersh Goldberg-Polin, stating, “I am thinking today of Hersh, in particular whose parents, Rachel and Jon, I had the honor of seeing in my office during this awful ordeal.”
About the worsening situation in the Middle-East, United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres noted “The conflict in the Middle East is getting worse by the hour — and our warnings about the horrific impacts of escalation keep coming to pass. Every air strike, every missile launch, every rocket fired, pushes peace further out of reach and makes the suffering even worse for the millions of civilians caught in the middle,” emphasizing “That is why we cannot and will not give up on our calls for an immediate ceasefire both in Gaza and Lebanon, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and immediate lifesaving aid to all those who desperately need it.”
