Dear Governor Newsom,
I’ve noticed your involvement in a number of national issues, your international representation of key messages, and your occasional role as a Biden administration surrogate. I’m curious, though—why haven’t we heard from you in advocating for an Israel/Hamas ceasefire? The ongoing events in Gaza, including what seems like genocide and de facto ethnic cleansing, alongside the killings and raids in the West Bank, are truly abominable. It’s disheartening to see the leaders I voted for seemingly ignoring the indiscriminate taking of innocent lives. Particularly, the leader of the state of California, the fifth largest economy in the world.
The events that took place in Israel on October 7th were equally horrendous. Many of us watching don’t believe they warrant what appears to be retaliatory actions taken against the innocent civilian population.
The oft-repeated talking point, “Israel has a right to defend itself,” feels like a cop-out. Sure, every country has that right, but bombing hospitals filled with injured women, children, and premature babies inside incubators doesn’t seem like a defense against any credible threat.
I’m not well-versed in geopolitical nuances or military combat strategy. Still, I find it hard to believe the military and intelligence technology available to the United States and Israel is incapable of anything more than a “whack-a-mole” approach.
The combined might of the US and Israeli governments seems disproportionately directed at what some might call a “rag-tag militia,” causing an obscene amount of civilian “collateral damage.” Equally, reports of Israeli military and police actions in the West Bank appear to be ignored and go unchecked.
Watching politicians and leaders at all levels hiding behind simplistic slogans or remaining silent is painful. As a nation, we deserve leaders willing to say, “Enough is enough.” Instead, it seems like a pathetic and disgraceful evasion of responsibility. The US has found billions to assist with Israel’s guaranteed right to defend itself. At the risk of sounding dictatorial, in the simple words of B.B. King, it seems to me the US is “paying the cost to be the boss.”
Remembering how Democrats criticized former President Trump for allegedly taking marching orders from Russia, I wonder: where do the marching orders come from now? What side of history do the administration, every elected official, and silent American want to be on when the dust settles and books are written about this “war” against Hamas? Will this catastrophe be remembered as the “Palestinian Pogrom”?
I feel powerless as I watch what continues to unfold and the images they bear. Commenting on social media posts and donating to humanitarian organizations feels inadequate.
There is little more I can do than respectfully urge you and others with your level of standing to take a bold step, use your political influence, and join other courageous members of Congress and senators, as well as countless American taxpayers and protestors worldwide, in calling for an immediate ceasefire.
The people of America want to hear our leaders use their voices and stand on the side of what is humane and necessary.
Eulonda Writes 