U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan is calling for “an immediate stop to the fighting” in the Israel-Hamas war, the latest Massachusetts representative to urge peace in the region since fighting broke out nearly five months ago.
Trahan underscored that she continues to support Israel’s right to defend itself, but that that right is “not without bounds.”
“The current situation – the deaths of thousands of innocent Palestinian families – is unacceptable, and it must stop without delay. Only then can we begin the difficult work of ushering in a new era of peace,” the Massachusetts representative wrote in a Friday statement.
Trahan joins a growing number from the state’s Congressional delegation who’ve expressed support for a ceasefire in some form, including Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Rep. Jim McGovern and Rep. Stephen Lynch.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren also spoke on the Senate floor Thursday about “peace in the Middle East” and urged a two-state solution.
“The people who live in the Middle East deserve a lasting peace, and deserve to live their lives with dignity and self-determination,” Warren said in a Senate floor speech Thursday. “[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu cannot bomb his way to the return of the hostages. Netanyahu cannot bomb his way to security in the region. Netanyahu cannot bomb his way to peace.”
Netanyahu & his right-wing government have created a catastrophe in Gaza. Today Israeli troops opened fire on Palestinians desperate for aid.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 29, 2024
The U.S. must push for a cease-fire, hostage releases, & condition military support on pursuing a two-state solution for a lasting peace. pic.twitter.com/igeEpeFRC8
Trahan represents cities including Lawrence, Lowell and Haverhill and is a co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. She wrote she’s “grateful” to President Joe Biden’s administration for its efforts to achieve peace between Israel and Hamas.
“I encourage the President and his team to redouble their efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire as soon as possible,” she wrote.
“An immediate stop to the fighting – a ceasefire – negotiated and agreed to by both the Israeli government and Hamas is desperately needed to halt the bloodshed, ensure the immediate release of Israeli hostages, surge humanitarian support for Palestinians in Gaza, and return to the hard work of achieving a viable two-state solution in the region,” Trahan added.
Her office declined an interview with GBH News.
