Senator Baldwin Statement on the Ongoing Israel-Hamas War

Statement

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

"Hamas's October 7th terrorist massacre has led to unbearable suffering in Israel, Gaza, and around the world. As I have said before, I support Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas, bring hostages back home, and end the terrorist organization's threat -- but it does not have the right to go to war against innocent Palestinian people. Eliminating the threat posed by Hamas and protecting civilians are not mutually exclusive aims.

Unfortunately, the Netanyahu government's indiscriminate bombing and military approach has led to unacceptable bloodshed in Gaza and does not appear to be moving us closer to our ultimate goals of removing Hamas from power and achieving a lasting peace in the region through a two-state solution. Preservation of innocent lives and civilian infrastructure is not just morally right, but also necessary to accomplish security, stability, and peace in the region moving forward.

I support the resumption of a humanitarian ceasefire, in order to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid, protect innocent civilians and civilian sites, and negotiate the release of the hostages taken on October 7th. This is only possible if both Hamas and the Israeli government cooperate. As we look ahead, the United States needs to continue to do more to urge Israel to protect Palestinian civilians, facilitate humanitarian efforts, and play a more active role in helping create a two-state solution -- something I have long supported -- to ensure that both the Palestinian and Israeli people have the right to self-determination, safety, and security."

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source