- February 9, 2024
Senator Murray Cosponsors Resolution Calling for Delivery of Urgently Needed Humanitarian Aid to Civilians in Gaza
Resolution calls on Biden Administration to work with allies and partners to streamline and increase access to aid for Gaza to prevent further spread of disease and starvation
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) joined Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) and 15 of their colleagues in introducing a resolution calling on the Biden Administration to work with allies and partners within the international community to dramatically increase humanitarian aid to Gaza in order to prevent further spread of disease and starvation. Senators Murray and Welch were joined by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Angus King (I-ME).
“The situation is Gaza is dire. Innocent civilians are in desperate need of medical care and many are facing starvation and disease. The Netanyahu government must end the collective punishment. What we’re seeing is a humanitarian crisis on a massive scale and it is absolutely critical that the Biden Administration keep working around the clock, doing everything humanly possible to get a major influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” said Senator Murray. “I’m glad to join my colleagues in this important resolution and am working hard to get a supplemental funding package with humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza across the finish line.”
The United States is the largest single-state funder of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. The White House, State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, and partners have worked to increase access for aid delivery to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, but far more work needs to be done.
The resolution introduced today calls on the Administration, on an urgent basis, and working with allies and partners within the international community, to help facilitate the humanitarian aid needed to prevent starvation and disease in Gaza by:
- Streamlining the inspection of trucks entering Gaza
- Increasing the access points for aid deliveries into Gaza
- Ensuring the distribution of adequate fuel to hospitals and humanitarian organizations in Gaza
- Ensuring the ability of humanitarian organizations to deliver aid safely and urgently in Gaza
- Expanding the number of safe shelters and food distribution locations for displaced people in Gaza
- Supporting efforts to restore water supply lines; and
- Working to secure the additional funding necessary to support the humanitarian response.
The resolution is supported by CARE, Catholic Relief Services, J Street, Church World Service, Mennonite Central Committee, Project HOPE, Mercy Corps, and Anera.
Since the Israel-Hamas war began, Senator Murray has made numerous calls for humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, and has urged President Biden to lead the international community in contributing to the United Nations’ emergency appeal to address the immediate humanitarian needs in the West Bank and Gaza. Murray called for a humanitarian pause in the war in November and as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she is working right now to pass a comprehensive national security supplemental package that includes aid to our allies in Israel and Ukraine and humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians. Last week, Senator Murray voiced her strong support for President Biden’s Executive Order allowing and deploying new sanctions on Israeli settlers involved in violent attacks against Palestinians. Murray also joined a letter to President Biden urging the administration to encourage Israeli officials to take five specific steps to significantly increase urgently needed humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza.
Full text of the resolution can be found HERE.
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