According to recent communications from Jewish Voice for Peace, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has entered its second year with staggering loss of life and widespread devastation. Their message conveys profound grief and urgency:

“After two years, the genocide in Gaza continues. We are overwhelmed with sorrow and outrage, yet steadfast in our commitment to Palestinian liberation.

There are no words to describe the devastating pain of the past year, in which the Israeli military has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, including more than 20,000 children. These numbers are not complete — thousands more remain under the rubble, and many will die from the lack of medicine, medical treatment, food, water, and shelter.”

Despite the scale of this tragedy, major U.S. media outlets often treat it as a distant conflict, disconnected from American responsibility. But the United States is deeply involved. American‑made bombs, artillery shells, bullets, and missiles are being used by the Israeli government and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza. Congressional approval of billions of dollars in military aid makes our government — and by extension, its voters — participants in the consequences of that support. None of us can claim clean hands when our tax dollars and elected officials enable this level of destruction.

I oppose continuing to provide weapons that are being used to kill civilians and destroy entire communities. If you, like the majority of Americans, do not want the United States to continue enabling the deaths of innocent people in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, I ask for your vote on or before the August 4th Primary.

If you believe the current course — including the killing of thousands of women and children — should continue, then you may choose to support Elaine Luria. If you, like the majority of Americans, do not want the United States to continue enabling the deaths of innocent people in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, I ask for your vote on or before the August 4th Primary. The decision belongs to you.