We write to you, our Oregon U.S. Representative delegation, to urge each of you to co-sponsor the Block the Bombs Act (HR 3565), which calls on President Trump to stop supplying some of the most deadly offensive weapons to Israel. Israel is using these weapons to carry out a genocide on the people of Gaza. The use of US weapons by the Israeli military in Gaza is not only unconscionable, but also violates US law and International Humanitarian Law.*

In light of Israel’s horrific campaign causing mass deaths, civilian casualties, starvation, and total destruction of infrastructure in Gaza, we urge you to take a moral stand and stop transferring the weapons that are enabling the Israeli assault to continue. To be silent is to be complicit in the deaths of over 60,000 people, at least 18,000 being children. UNICEF reports that 28 children in Gaza are being killed each day by Israel’s military–that is the equivalent of about 1 school classroom per day. 

Without US weapons, the war on Gaza would end. Ending weapons is the most direct way our government can pressure Israel to agree to a permanent ceasefire. We owe this to the people of Gaza. 

Led by Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (Illinois) along with Representatives Sara Jacobs (California), Pramila Jayapal (Washington), and Mark Pocan (Wisconsin), there are now 26 U.S. Representatives who have signed on to HR 3565, the Block the Bombs Act. We call on our OR Congressional Representatives to join in the courageous stand taken in late July by the majority of Democratic Senators, including Senator Jeff Merkley, in supporting the recent Senate legislation, the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs). We applaud the growing number of Senators who are heeding the call by the majority of Americans to restrict weapons to Israel. The Block the Bombs Act is companion legislation currently gaining signatures in the US House. 

As your constituents, we urge you to please sign on in support of H.R. 3565, the Block the Bombs Act. As Senator Merkley said in a social media post, “More food. Less bombs.” That is an Oregon value. 

*Amnesty International,  American Friends Service Committee, Friends Committee on National Legislation

Sincerely,

Jewish Voice for Peace-Portland Chapter, Senator Khanh Pham (SD 23), Councilor Nadia Hasan, Councilor Adam Khosroabadi, Councilor Kipperlyn Sinclair, Rashelle Chase-Miller (School Board Director, Portland Public Schools), Tammy Carpenter, MD (School Board Director, Beaverton Public Schools), Barbie Minor (Director, Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District), Councilor Ali Afghan, …