Doctors Join Congresswomen Bush, Tlaib, Omar in Calls for Ceasefire
WATCH: Growing group of 2,000 doctors join calls for permanent ceasefire in Gaza and Israel
Washington, D.C. (Dec. 7, 2023) —Representatives Cori Bush (MO-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) joined doctors from around the country in a press conference calling for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza.
“Congress has a moral and ethical responsibility to act because as Members of Congress, we too took an oath. We took an oath of service. So when we hear genocidal rhetoric, when we witness the devastation and mass murder, when we finance the bombs being dropped, and when we intentionally disregard the suffering, we allow the people we represent to be complicit in mass atrocities,” said Congresswoman Bush. “And let me be clear about what’s happening, these are war crimes. The targeting of civilians is a war crime. The targeting of medical facilities is a war crime. The starvation and the withholding of water and electricity is a war crime. The collective punishment of 2.3 million people is a war crime. And we refuse to be silent. Humanity has already lost so much.”
“I once again stand here to ask my colleagues: How many more lives will be enough? How many more innocent civilians and children have to be killed? How many more lives will you accept as "collateral damage"?” said Congresswoman Tlaib.
“Doctors and healthcare workers know on a direct level what pain and physical trauma and death look like. You spend your lives treating people and saving lives. Like many of you, I am outraged. I am outraged that the violence continues even after the freeing of hostages and the temporary pause in the Israeli siege on Gaza. Given everything we know, how can the United States continue to hand the IDF a blank check without any conditions? How can our government say “we’re concerned” but do nothing to stop the war? How can we say “you need to bomb fewer civilians” and then sell them the literal bombs that are being used to bomb civilians? The trauma of the past few months will live in the hearts and minds of the Palestinian and Israeli populace for decades to come. But one thing is clear now: we cannot continue the horrifying violence, the wanton killing of civilians and kids that marked the past months,” said Congresswoman Omar.
Watch the full recording of the press conference HERE.
The doctors at today’s press conference are part of a growing group of over 2,000 medical professionals who support peace. These doctors have first-hand knowledge of the humanitarian catastrophe currently unfolding in Gaza. Some are in direct contact and even trying to treat people in Gaza via telehealth visits, despite huge barriers. They have areas of expertise that include delivery of medical aid to refugees and others are specialists in infectious diseases.
The doctors who spoke at today's press conference, include:
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Dr. Karameh Kuemmerle, Pediatric Neurologist at Boston Children’s Hospital and Assistant Professor in Neurology at Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts
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Dr. Evan Lyon, Internist & Human Rights Professor at the University of Chicago, Illinois
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Dr. Nidal Jboor, Internist and Geriatrics specialist, Michigan
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Dr. Adlah Sukkar, Pulmonary Critical Care, Virginia
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Dr. Allaa Ali, Family Medicine physician, Michigan
Congresswoman Bush has been steadfast in her calls for peace and a lasting ceasefire. On November 9, Congresswoman Bush, alongside Delia Ramirez (IL-03), and Summer Lee (PA-12), hosted a press conference with veterans calling for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza. On November 13, Congresswoman Bush joined Congresswoman Tlaib and several other members of Congress in a press conference with rabbis calling for a ceasefire.
On October 16, Congresswomen Bush, Ramirez, and Lee, alongside Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and Congressman Andre Carson (IN-07), introduced the Ceasefire Now Resolution urging the Biden Administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, promptly send humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and save as many lives as possible. Currently, this resolution has a total of 18 co-sponsors.