Dear Editor: The war situation in Gaza is heartbreaking. According to UNICEF, over 50,000 children have been killed or maimed since the beginning of the conflict. That’s an average of 28 children a day.
Since Israel imposed its near-total food blockade on Gaza in March, many of the children killed and injured have been shot while trying to get food for their families.
The majority of weapons that kill and maim children in Gaza are supplied to Israel by the United States. Yet this week, the Trump State Department halted medical visas to Gaza children coming to the U.S. for lifesaving treatment in order to “review” the “process and procedures. ”
It is hard for me to fathom how any human being can enact policies that lead to the killing, maiming, and starvation of children, and then refuse those children lifesaving treatment.
Sitkans for Peace and Democracy invites community members to participate in a silent vigil on Thursday, Aug. 21, 5-6 p.m., at the roundabout, to demand that the U.S. restore and expand medical visas to Gaza children in need of lifesaving care, and to stop supplying weapons to Israel. We encourage you to wear black.
We also urge you to contact your elected officials.
Marian Allen for
Sitkans For Peace and Democracy
