A group of military veterans joined progressive Democrats in calling for a ceasefire in Israel, arguing U.S. efforts to provide military assistance will only result in more violence rather than a peaceful resolution.
Progressive Reps. Cori Bush (D-MO), Summer Lee (D-PA), and Delia Ramirez (D-IL) renewed their calls for an immediate de-escalation of the conflict in Israel in a press conference outside the Capitol on Thursday flanked by a group of U.S. veterans urging Congress to halt passing legislation they said would fuel warfare. The calls come weeks after the lawmakers, along with 10 other House Democrats, introduced a bill demanding the Biden administration call for a ceasefire and provide humanitarian assistance to residents in Gaza.
REPUBLICAN DEBATE: WINNERS AND LOSERS OF THIRD GOP MATCHUP IN MIAMI
"Many question our patriotism because we are questioning this war, but there's nothing more patriotic than wanting our country to stand up for our professed values," Bush said. "It's time to change the pattern of history to build a world where peace is valued over wars, where we reconcile conflicts through peaceful negotiation, where we choose to take the path of love and humanity over death and destruction."
Several of the veterans spoke out about their personal experiences fighting in the military, lamenting that although their service will be praised over the weekend for Veterans Day, their requests for an end to another Middle Eastern war will be ignored by the U.S. government.
"This weekend, politicians will be shaking our hands and thanking us for our service, all while continuing to fail us," said Brittany Ramos DeBarros, an Army combat veteran. "They continue to ignore the will of the American people who want a ceasefire. They continue to ignore the will of veterans who are sick of being sent to kill and die in wars that make politicians and war profiteer donors richer."
DeBarros accused lawmakers who have pushed back against a ceasefire of knowing "nothing about war," arguing a path to peace cannot be accomplished through warfare.
"We cannot bomb our way to peace. We cannot kill our way to safety," she said. "Those who say a ceasefire only helps Hamas subscribe to a shortsighted military strategy that has been empirically disproven repeatedly and not once has been successful or effective."
The lawmakers also argued against continuing to fund the Israeli military, citing thousands of Palestinian residents with no connection to the Hamas militant group who have been killed in the conflict.
"We must reject a doctrine that only some lives are worth protecting and recognizing that the lives of the futures and the collective safety of Israelis and Palestinians is intertwined," Ramirez said. "The solutions we put forward and support should affirm our shared humanity and reject all forms of dehumanization, scapegoating, and collective punishment. As a nation, we must use our influence and the power as world leaders to affirm our commitment to human rights, international law, and de-escalation."
The group of Democrats introduced the Ceasefire Now Resolution on Oct. 16, although it's unclear whether the bill will be called to the floor for a full vote. Providing aid to Israel is something both parties strongly agree with, although there are a handful of detractors on both sides.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The House passed $14.3 billion in aid for Israel as it defends itself, although the legislation is unlikely to advance through the Democratic-led Senate after Republicans attached a provision in the bill that would cut $14.3 billion in funding from the IRS to offset the cost.
The Biden administration doesn't support a total ceasefire, standing by Israel's right to defend itself after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that killed more than 1,400 Israelis. But President Joe Biden has called for pauses in the fight to allow for humanitarian assistance, and Israel agreed to daily four-hour breaks to benefit civilians, the Biden administration said Thursday.