PENNSYLVANIA — Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly have issued a call to Pennsylvania’s Congressional Delegation, urging them to support a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the provision of humanitarian aid to those affected by ongoing violence in Gaza.
The appeal, made on Tuesday, was signed by twelve state-elected representatives from across Pennsylvania. The group collectively expressed their concern over the violence impacting thousands of Israelis and Palestinians over recent weeks.
The legislators’ statement read: “We, the undersigned state elected representatives from across Pennsylvania, believe that all of us, no matter our religion, ethnicity, or nationality, deserve a life of safety and freedom for ourselves and our families.”
They further noted the devastating death toll as of November 18, citing figures from the Associated Press that over 1,200 Israelis and more than 11,470 Palestinians have been killed. Two-thirds of the Palestinian victims were reported as women and children. Approximately 2,700 Palestinians are reported missing, while about 240 Israelis, including 32 children, are being held hostage by Hamas.
Signatories of the letter included State Senators Katie Muth, Nikil Saval, and Lindsey Williams, and State Representatives Gina Curry, Roni Green, Tarik Khan, Rick Krajewski, La’Tasha Mayes, Danielle Friel Otten, Chris Pielli, Christopher Rabb, and Ismail Smith-Wade-El.
They emphasized the sanctity of life in their call for action, stating, “Every life is sacred; one life lost is too many.” The state legislators are united in their grief over the violence and their desire for peace and safety for all people, regardless of their religion, ethnicity, or nationality.
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