FOREIGN POLICY & IMMIGRATION »» CONFLICT RESOLUTION »» ISRAEL/PALESTINE »» Dec 25, 2023

For many decades, Israelis and Palestinians have waged a bitter and bloody struggle over lands they both claim by historical right. In 2007, Israel instituted a blockade on the Gaza Strip and closed its border with Egypt. Since then, the Palestinian economy has been crippled by Israeli restrictions on its commercial trade and a ban on its exports, which had accounted for most of Gaza’s income. Most Palestinians are living below the poverty level of $2/day. At least 7 wars have been fought between these neighbors since 1987. These wars have destroyed Gaza’s infrastructure and claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinian children and civilians. A relatively few number of Israelis have also lost their lives. Results of a recent Palestinian poll show mixed views on long-term peace issues among Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. The two-state solution has lost some support and only a very small minority support a “one-state solution” with equal rights for all, or expect Israel would ever agree to that idea. Each year, we provide Israel with nearly $4 billion in military and economic aid while the Palestinians receive about $350 million in economic assistance. On Oct.7, 2023 the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas breached the barriers between Israel and Gaza and brutally murdered 1,200 Israeli civilians, including the elderly and very young children. It is estimated that at least 240 Israelis were also kidnapped and taken into Gaza as hostages, about half of which have since been released. Israel’s defense forces responded with massive air strikes targeting Hamas by dropping 6,000 bombs in the first six days, destroying several densely populated neighborhoods in northern Gaza, and have killed more than 18,000 Palestinians, most of them women and at least 8,000 children. It is estimated that more than 13,000 unguided “dumb” bombs have been dropped on Gaza in which critics claim to be indiscriminate bombing. Gazans are now experiencing acute shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel. A small number of trucks have been allowed to transport these scarce goods to Palestinian civilians. Hamas stated that their attacks were in response to the Egyptian-Israel blockade on Gaza, continued settlements, Israeli settler violence, the desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, Israel's attacks on women, and restrictions on movement between Israel and Gaza. Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R.5344 - Two-State Solution Act (117th Congress 2021-2022) Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX)