Members of Congress Gather to Recognize Lives Lost in Palestine and Israel
Reps. Bush, Tlaib host Vigil for Shared Humanity
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Washington D.C. (Dec. 1, 2023) — Last night, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) were joined by members of Congress in a Vigil for Shared Humanity which recognized the lives lost in Palestine and Israel.
“Constantly in the news and on social media, we see the fatality numbers tragically rise, hour by hour, day after day. The death toll is so stark that their deaths are often lumped together or altogether dismissed. Relegated by some who have referred to it as the price of war or even collateral damage. As if their lives don’t matter. As if their struggle doesn’t deserve our compassion,” said Congresswoman Bush. "But let me tell you who they are: They are mothers. They are fathers. They are daughters and sons. […] They are doctors and nurses. They are journalists. They are UN and humanitarian aid workers. They are refugees. They are Palestinian and Israeli. They are Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and people of many faiths and beliefs. And most of all, they are PEOPLE. Not numbers. Not disposable. Not collateral damage. PEOPLE.”
“We grieve the lives of every innocent civilian killed, no matter their faith or ethnicity. We cannot lose sight of our shared humanity. This is the first vigil on Capitol Hill that mourns both the Palestinian and Israeli lives lost, all of the homes and communities destroyed by violence, and every family torn apart. In the words of Yousef Maher Dawas, a young poet who died alongside his family in Gaza: We Are Not Numbers,” said Congresswoman Tlaib.
In addition to members of Congress, the Congresswomen were joined by multi-faith leaders, including Imam Tariq Sharim, Rabbi Yosef Berman and Rev. Mia McClain.
Congresswoman Bush and Tlaib have been leading the charge in the calls for the United States to help facilitate a permanent ceasefire and to save lives. On October 16th, the Congresswomen introduced the Ceasefire Now Resolution, which urges the Biden Administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, and to send humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
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