Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today issued the following statement after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress:
“I did not attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress.
“I was horrified by Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on October 7th and fully support Israel’s right to go after Hamas. But how they do so matters.
“Netanyahu’s war strategy in Gaza is at odds with American values and law. His government’s campaign of indiscriminate bombing has driven 1.9 million people from their homes and killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians—tens of thousands of whom are women and children. In addition, his government’s restrictions on humanitarian aid have brought Gaza to the brink of famine. This continues to drive further cycles of violence, radicalization, and instability.
“Netanyahu’s strategy has been to prioritize his political survival over peace and the return of hostages.
“A permanent ceasefire remains the only path to an end of war including the release of all remaining hostages, delivery of massive amounts of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and the creation of conditions for lasting peace.”
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