Like many people, I am distressed by news of the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. I have heard both Democrats and Republicans try to justify this onslaught by saying Israel has the right to self defense against Hamas. By this point it is clear that what the Israeli government is doing — bombing refugee camps, schools, and hospitals, starving Palestinians of food and clean water, cutting off communication and basic humanitarian aid — is not self-defense.
There are many people far more educated than I am on the history of this part of the world. What I do know: There is no moral high ground in bombing regular people. I do not want to hear one word about family values from American politicians who are unwilling to stand up to our allies currently bombing families in Gaza. My views on foreign policy are simple, and they are that massacring children is wrong. We can combat antisemitism and terrorism without enabling genocide.
I feel as though I am living through one of the historical atrocities I learned about in school. I remember wondering if I would have been bold enough to stand up for others facing persecution. I am trying to live my answer to that question now.
What ghastly kind of peace do we think can be purchased with the blood and trauma of children? As a mom of young kids, but really just as a human being, I ask our leaders to support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Lauren Simpson, Salt Lake City
