Blunt Rochester first congressional delegation member to call for Israel-Hamas cease-fire
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U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester became the first member of Delaware's congressional delegation to call for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas on Friday, advocating for a mutual, long-term cease-fire and an eventual permanent two-state solution.
The ongoing conflict has led to the deaths of over 30,000 people in the Gaza Strip, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, with women and children over 70% of those killed. United Nations experts say widespread famine is "imminent."
Blunt Rochester, who is running to replace Tom Carper in the U.S. Senate following his retirement, said she determined that a cease-fire was necessary after lengthy "very careful and prayerful deliberation" and discussions with concerned Delawareans.
Protesters interrupted Gov. John Carney's State of the State address on Tuesday to call attention to the situation in Gaza, calling on lawmakers to call for a cease-fire. The protesters were escorted from the building without any legal action by authorities.
Blunt Rochester denounced the attacks on Israel by Hamas in her statement, saying that Israel has a right to exist and defend itself. At the same time, Blunt Rochester said she believes that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took advantage of the country's partnership with the U.S. and "has not sufficiently prioritized sparing innocent Palestinian lives in his pursuit of Hamas."
“To see innocent women and children suffering and to see so many families’ lives shattered as a result of this war compels each of us to play our part in calling for an immediate end to this violence," Blunt Rochester said. "History is watching us.”
U.S. Sens. Chris Coons and Tom Carper have not released any statements calling for a long-term cease-fire, but both senators signed a letter to President Joe Biden in early February urging the administration to bring more humanitarian aid into Gaza.
They have both advocated for humanitarian pauses in fighting, according to spokespeople.
A spokesperson for Carper said that he "has long been vocal about the dire humanitarian crisis in the region" and supports the Biden Administration's efforts to increase humanitarian aid in Gaza and free hostages.
MORE: Israel's war on Gaza Strip has displaced 1.4 million Palestinians: Mapping the devastation
Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on X at @h_edelman.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Lisa Blunt Rochester calls for cease-fire between Israel, Hamas
