Rep. Leger Fernández Statement on Ceasefire Negotiations
Washington, DC,
November 19, 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Leger Fernández released the following statement regarding the negotiations in the Israel-Hamas war:
Congresswoman Leger Fernández released the following statement regarding the negotiations in the Israel-Hamas war: “The world must not forget the atrocity, barbarism, and terror that Hamas inflicted on Israel when it invaded and killed women, children, and babies and took hundreds of hostages. Israel has a responsibility to its people to remove Hamas from operational control so it cannot achieve its stated goal of a never-ending war and the elimination of Jews in Israel. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s military response has killed thousands of innocent civilians, put little babies at risk, and bombed apartments where Palestinian children and families are now lost beneath the rubble. A lasting peace cannot be built upon the rubble where children are buried. “Wherever a glimmer of hope or potential for peace exists, we have an obligation to pursue it as fully and quickly as possible to stop the loss of life. I support the Biden Administration’s work to achieve a multilateral temporary ceasefire that allows for the release of some hostages and for humanitarian assistance to flow. I support such a ceasefire and additional actions to release all the hostages, address the humanitarian crisis, and protect all civilians from violence — Palestinian and Israeli. Lasting peace and a true two-state solution, where Palestinians and Israelis live side by side and free from violence, must remain the vision. “We should always aim to lead con amor. That is why I denounce the anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and violence that we are seeing at home in America. Hate, in whatever form, regardless of religion or political belief, is simply wrong. “We must listen with empathy. We must build understanding. We must work with and toward love.” ### |