Action 155: Stop the genocide.

From our friends at Hancock County Democrats:

Background: We received a request from a friend to post this action, which we have substantially edited but hopefully not altered in intent. She writes: “…Today’s request is urgent. … The extent of human suffering in Gaza has finally captured the attention of people and powers worldwide, and here at home. This is a critical moment to add our voices…We might be able to do some good to change policy and bring relief to the starving and suffering people of Gaza. Senator King has stepped up. Sen. Collins and Rep. Golden have been silent.”

Senator King’s statement reads in part:

“I cannot defend the indefensible. Israel’s actions in the conduct of the war in Gaza, especially its failure to address the unimaginable humanitarian crisis now unfolding, is an affront to human decency. What appears to be a deliberately-induced famine among a civilian population—including tens of thousands of starving children—can never be an acceptable military strategy…While clearly justified in responding to the horrific attack by Hamas on innocent Israeli citizens, that tragic event cannot in turn justify the enormous toll on Palestinian civilians caused by Israel’s relentless bombing campaign and its indifference to the current plight of those trapped in what’s left of Gaza…I in no way accept or condone the actions of Hamas, but recent events have placed a moral burden on Israel to ameliorate the current crisis, a burden it has thus far totally failed to meet…For these reasons, I am through supporting the actions of the current Israeli government and will advocate—and vote—for an end to any United States support whatsoever until there is a demonstrable change in the direction of Israeli policy. My litmus test will be simple: no aid of any kind as long as there are starving children in Gaza due to the action or inaction of the Israeli government.” (1)

The ad-hoc, nonprofit Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (2) is part of the problem. Established in February of 2025, it is backed by the US and Israeli governments, but criticized by the United Nations and over 170 international charities for its field operations, which have resulted in shocking deaths of starving Palestinians – exactly the opposite of what they were supposed to be doing. Our friend writes: “They were told their ‘plan’ would result in chaos. They are herding starving people into a few hard-to-reach small areas – where the starving are being shot like fish in a barrel. Since late May, more than 766 Palestinians were killed while heading to sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. … Israeli, Trump administration, AIPAC and CUFI assertions that Hamas is blocking distribution have proven to be false. This humanitarian crisis is a compounding of Israel’s years long blockade with months of Israel effectively preventing food and medical supplies into Gaza.” [AIPAC = American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a lobbying group. CUFI = Christians United for Israel, the largest Zionist organization in the US. See Extra Credit.]

Actions:  Contact Senator Collins and Representative Golden and yes, the White House.  Ask them to:

1. Stop shipments of offensive weapons to IDF units in Gaza and the West Bank.  These units are credibly implicated in the commission of gross violations of human rights. Enforce the Leahy Laws (3).
2. Stop funding the ad-hoc Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.  Bring back UN and NGO groups with demonstrated expertise in distributing humanitarian aid.

Urgency: Every day that goes by means more innocent, starving people being murdered while the US Administration turns a blind eye.

Contacts:

Angus King
DC: (202) 224-5344
Augusta: (207) 622-8292

Susan Collins
DC: (202) 224-2523
Augusta: (207) 622-8414
Bangor: (207) 945-0417

Chellie Pingree
DC: (202) 225-6116
Portland: (207) 774-5019
Waterville: (207) 873-5713

Jared Golden
DC: (202) 225-6306
Bangor: (207) 249-7400
Caribou: (207) 492-6009
Lewiston: (207) 241-6767

President Trump: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Extra Credit: