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WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) released the following statement on the ongoing violence in Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, and southern Israel, including attacks targeting civilians, retaliatory airstrikes, and continued inhumane efforts to evict Palestinians from East Jerusalem:

“The escalating violence in the Middle East is deeply concerning and continues to threaten innocent lives. These aggressive tactics across the region, provoked further by a raid on peaceful protesters at the Al Aqsa Mosque and continued efforts to force Palestinians from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah, are immoral human rights violations and further drive a wedge into efforts for long-term peace. The Hamas missile attacks and retaliatory airstrikes, which further escalate and incite violence and terrorize civilians, must also immediately end.

“Congress deserves to hear from the Biden-Harris Administration on the steps they are taking to end this vicious cycle of violence and I reiterate my call for a Congressional briefing. The United States must play a constructive role to safeguard human rights and deescalate tensions and violence in the region. Let’s be clear: violence and retaliation only provoke this dangerous situation. This Administration and Congress must be the leading voice in enacting an immediate ceasefire before any more lives are lost.

“Moving forward, we must play a proactive role with our partners in the international community to address the underlying drivers of the conflict and ensure Israelis and Palestinians are able to live with dignity, peace and security, side-by-side.”

Earlier this week, Dingell sent a letter to the Department of State urging for a Congressional briefing to discuss the steps being taken to deescalate tensions and promote a peaceful resolution to the recent violence in the Middle East.

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