Published September 2, 2025 – Received August 29, 2025 Dear Donna, Thank you for contacting me about the crisis in Gaza and the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. I appreciate hearing your thoughts about this terrible, complex, and evolving situation, and I want you to know where I stand. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza must end now. With all the stipulations and prior statements I have made about Hamas’ brutal terrorism, Israel’s right to defend itself against true security threats, and the imperative of Hamas releasing the hostages, right now the burden of ending the humanitarian tragedy falls on Israel — and on the United States as Israel’s closest ally. We cannot become numb to the rising civilian death toll, suffering, starvation and near-total destruction in Gaza — it demands the world’s immediate attention. For many months I have joined dozens of colleagues in Congress in calling for an end to this war and a meaningful path to peace. I have called repeatedly for both the Biden and Trump administrations to use every diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian tool to push for a permanent ceasefire — one that allows lifesaving aid to flow without obstruction, frees the hostages, disarms Hamas, and ends the bombardment and occupation. I have also pointedly challenged the Netanyahu government to stop obstructing aid deliveries and open every possible channel — land, sea, and air — to humanitarian relief. Starving children, blocking medical supplies, shelling ambulances and shooting aid workers and desperate civilians trying to get food for themselves and their children is inexcusable. I am dismayed and frankly disgusted by the failure of our government, and the Israeli government, to show moral clarity and humanity in the face of this worsening tragedy. Much more can and must be done — and every day that passes without urgent action means more preventable deaths, more suffering, and more instability in the region. That is why I am joining my colleagues in demanding that President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio take concrete steps to achieve a lasting ceasefire, end the man-made starvation, and join recent actions by other Western democracies in officially recognizing the State of Palestine. It is also why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 3565, the Block the Bombs Act, to prohibit the shipment of American-made weapons to Israel. Moreover, I cosponsored H.R. 3045, the West Bank Violence Prevention Act, which would reinstate the Biden administration’s executive order authorizing sanctions on perpetrators of settler violence. For years, U.S. administrations from both parties have acknowledged that a two-state solution is the only viable path to lasting peace. However, settler violence against Palestinians and the current Israeli government’s accelerating annexation in the West Bank and Gaza make this outcome increasingly precarious. The U.S. must step up and lead — by recognizing Palestinian statehood, holding all parties accountable to international law, and finally laying the groundwork for an independent, demilitarized Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel. This is not just about ending a war. It’s about ending this cycle of despair and showing the world that America has the courage to insist on a just and sustainable peace — and that we will not stand by while innocent people starve. To that end, I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 2411, the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act, to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and restart U.S. contributions to UNRWA, an essential United Nations agency serving the people of Gaza and nearly 6 million refugees across the Middle East. Last Congress, I also cosponsored the SAFEGUARD Act, which would ensure that the U.S. does not support human rights abuses through arms sales. I strongly affirm my support for greater transparency, accountability, and compliance with humanitarian standards related to U.S. military support to allies including Israel. The domestic ripple effects of this war, including the Trump administration’s detention of student activists and valid visa holders who dissent from the President’s rubber-stamping of the violence in Gaza is troubling and needs attention. While some may disagree with activists’ views, the First Amendment guarantees their right to free, protected political speech. President Trump’s weaponization of our immigration system should worry all who seek to defend our democracy and Constitution. As a result, I joined over 90 of my House colleagues in sending letters calling for the administration to release activists like Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi, both of whom have since been released. This June, I also issued a joint statement alongside other Bay Area Members of Congress demanding answers regarding the detention of Palestinian travelers at the San Francisco International Airport. Additionally, the surge in both antisemitism and Islamophobia throughout this conflict must be addressed. I’ve met with young Muslim-Americans who have experienced the shameful increase in Islamophobic threats and attacks, and I have met with Jewish teenagers and young adults who have been threatened and harassed to the point that their parents fear for their safety on school campuses and in the community. I cosponsored H. Con. Res 99 to honor Wadee Alfayoumi, a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy brutally murdered because of his identity, as well as H. Res. 907, which condemns antisemitism and outlines efforts to strengthen protections for Jewish Americans. Whether it is physical assaults, vandalism, intimidation, or incitement, we all must condemn hatred and violence. As I work with my colleagues in Congress to address this horrific war, I will continue to do everything I can to tamp down hate, discrimination and violence in all forms to stop the seeds of conflict from spreading at home. In closing, I would like to share with you my most recent statement publicly calling for the U.S. to pick up the mantle as a world leader to put an end to the death, suffering and conflict in Gaza. Thank you again for sharing your views on this issue. The people of California’s 2nd District are the most important voices I listen to while serving in Congress. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if I can be of assistance to you in the future. Sincerely, Jared Huffman Member of Congress Editor's Notes and Opinions: While his letter starts out good, it gets increasingly bad. I couldn't disagree with him more. There will never be a sustainable peace or lasting ceasefire. Just look at the history since Israel became a nation in 1948. Who starts the wars? Not the Israeli's. Freedom of speech is a right granted to the citizens of our nation, NOT to "activists" like Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi who are green card holders. He talks about UNRWA as though they are a great agency doing wonderful things. They are not! Starvation? Since the start of the war total amount of aid: 1,876,948 tons in 96,796 trucks and 10,450 pallets. Aerial Drops: 7,385 tons in 10,450 pallets. Maritime Deliveries: 9,710 tons in 725 trucks.* Obstacles to Delivering Aid: Looting & Hijacking: (a) In November 2025, one convoy of 109 UN Trucks via Kerem Shalom was attacked – 98 trucks were looted, with only 11 reach warehouses. (b) Mass looting event: On may 31, 2025, 90 trucks loaded with 1,695 tons of aid were looted, severely undermining delivery efforts. (c) the New York Times reported in June 2025 that Hamas siphoned off more than $1 billion in aid to Gaza. (d) The UN reported that of its 1,090 aid trucks sent to Gaza in June, 2,045 were looted. As of eaarly August 2025, – 23,000 tons of aid have entered Gaza in recent weeks but most have not reached distribution centers, and much has been looted. AID Deliveries by Type: Food: 1,447,963 tons Shelter Equipment: 170,240 tons Mixed Aig: 90,660 tons Water: 60,360 tons – Water is available via 3 water pipelines from Israel, 2 water pipelines from Egypt, pumping facilities and more. Medical Supplies: 46,241 tons Gas: 31,695 tons UN and International Organizations Equipment: 150 tons Essential Infrastructure Equipment: 72 tons Medical Equipment (for field hospitals): 15 tons Two water pipes from Israel provide hundreds of thousands of Gazans with water. HAMAS has damaged these pipes on Oct. 7 and has subsequently attacked the, requiring repeated Israeli repair efforts. Before the Oct. 7 massacres, an average of 70 food trucks entered Gaza per day: on Apr. 7, 2024 alone, 258 food trucks entered. Much of these statistics come from Christians United for Israel.