Former GOP Representative Justin Amash of Michigan called the destruction of Gaza by Israeli forces “horrific” on Friday and sounded the alarm over the killing of civilians in the region.
On October 7, Hamas led the deadliest Palestinian militant attack on Israel in history. Israel subsequently launched its heaviest-ever airstrikes on Gaza. According to Israeli officials, 1,400 people in Israel have been killed as of Saturday, the Associated Press reported, while over 7,700 Palestinians have died, according to officials from the health ministry in Gaza, according to the AP. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country is “at war” and has cut off supplies of food, fuel, electricity and medicine into Gaza.
Amash, a Palestinian-American who left the Republican Party in his later years in office, took to X, formerly Twitter, to share the fear that his relatives in Gaza are experiencing amid Israel’s airstrikes.
“The ongoing destruction of Gaza is horrific. Countless innocent civilians are being killed or severely injured,” the former congressman wrote. “My Orthodox Christian relatives have nothing to do with terrorism, but they haven’t been spared from death, pain, and grief.”
A Personal Account of the Devastation in Gaza
Imagine the heart-wrenching scene of Palestinians searching through the rubble of the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church, a once majestic structure now reduced to ruins. This was the aftermath of a strike on Gaza City on October 20. The image of the destroyed church is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict.
A Politician’s Outcry
Former GOP Representative Justin Amash of Michigan didn’t mince words when he described the destruction of Gaza by Israeli forces as “horrific”. He expressed deep concern over the killing of civilians in the region, a sentiment that resonates with many who are witnessing the devastation unfold.
The Struggle to Communicate
Amash shared a personal account of the difficulty he’s been facing in communicating with his relatives in the region. “When I spoke with a family member several days ago, I heard the blast of an airstrike near the church and the fear in his voice. He hadn’t slept in days. Young relatives woke up startled, terrified they might not survive,” he posted. “Now we can’t even communicate with any of them.”
The Impact on Infrastructure
Israeli airstrikes on Friday knocked out internet and communications in Gaza. The continued bombardment on Saturday has disrupted not just the lives of ordinary people, but also the operations of ambulances and aid groups in the region. The situation is dire, and the world watches on, hoping for a swift resolution to the conflict.
The Plight of Children in Gaza: A Personal Perspective
“Children make up about half the population of Gaza. Among those who are fortunate to survive Israel’s bombardment, many will forever be traumatized and resentful,” wrote Amash in a heartfelt post last Friday. He continued, “This is not a viable path forward for Palestinians or Israelis who hope for a peaceful future.”
Amash’s Political Journey
Amash served Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2021. He was a part of the Republican Party until 2019 when he decided to become an independent. His political journey didn’t stop there, as he joined the Libertarian Party the following year.
Personal Loss Amidst the Israel-Hamas War
The former congressman has already experienced personal loss due to the Israel-Hamas war. He shared a heart-wrenching post on October 20, revealing that several of his relatives were killed when Gaza City’s Saint Porphyrius Orthodox Church, where his family were seeking shelter, was hit by an overnight airstrike.
The IDF’s Response
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) previously confirmed that it was responsible for damage to the church. However, they added that they “can unequivocally state that the Church was not the target of the strike.”
A Tribute to Lost Loved Ones
Amash shared a picture of two of his relatives, Viola and Yara, who he said were killed in the strike. “Give rest, O Lord, to their souls, and may their memories be eternal,” he wrote. “The Palestinian Christian community has endured so much. Our family is hurting badly. May God watch over all Christians in Gaza—and all Israelis and Palestinians who are suffering, whatever their religion or creed.”
Amash, the First Palestinian-American in Congress
Hey there, let’s talk about Justin Amash. He was the first Palestinian-American to represent his state in Congress. Quite a feat, right? Now, there’s another Michigan representative making waves, Rashida Tlaib, who happens to be the first Palestinian-American woman to serve in Congress. When Amash faced a personal loss, Tlaib was there to offer her condolences, commenting on his social media post, “I am so sorry Justin.”
Tlaib’s Recent Scrutiny
Now, Tlaib has been in the spotlight recently, and not for the best reasons. She’s been under scrutiny for criticizing Israel’s reaction to Hamas’ attack and President Joe Biden’s support of Israel. The Democratic congresswoman has been vocal about her call for a de-escalation in Gaza. She even joined a Jewish-led, pro-Palestinian protest that demanded lawmakers call for a ceasefire on October 18 at the Capitol’s Cannon House Office Building.
GOP Representative’s Resolution Against Tlaib
Here’s where things get a bit heated. GOP Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia introduced a resolution to the House floor on Thursday to censure Tlaib. Representative Jared Moskowitz, a Florida Democrat who is Jewish, urged Congress to consider this resolution.
The Resolution’s Claims
The resolution claims that Tlaib is being censured for “antisemitic activity, sympathizing with terrorist organizations, and leading an insurrection at the United States Capitol Complex.” Greene was referring to the October 18 protest that Tlaib took part in, which was not an insurrection. A Capitol police spokesperson previously told that the event was “generally a peaceful demonstration.”
Tlaib, on the other hand, called Greene’s resolution “unhinged” and “deeply Islamophobic.” It’s a tense situation, and we’ll have to wait and see how it unfolds.
A Bold Move on a Thursday Afternoon
On a typical Thursday afternoon, you’d expect the usual humdrum of legislative activities. But this was not your average Thursday. An unexpected post on X caught everyone’s attention. The post was not the only thing that stirred the pot. A fresh face in the political arena, Representative Becca Balint, a Democrat from Vermont, was making waves of her own.
Pushing Boundaries and Resolutions
Representative Balint, despite being a freshman, showed no signs of hesitation. She boldly pushed forward a resolution to censure Greene. According to Balint, Greene has been a consistent source of controversy, “repeatedly fanning the flames of racism, antisemitism, LGBTQ hate speech, Islamophobia, anti-Asian hate, xenophobia, and other forms of hatred.”
Conclusion
In a world dominated by political divisions and partisan rhetoric, the human toll of the Israel-Hamas conflict is a stark reminder of the real consequences of such disputes. Former GOP Representative Justin Amash’s heartfelt outcry shines a light on the personal anguish experienced by countless families in the midst of this devastating conflict. His perspective, as a Palestinian-American, brings a unique dimension to the narrative, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding during times of crisis. Amash’s journey, from his tenure in the Republican Party to becoming an independent and later joining the Libertarian Party, demonstrates the complexity of navigating political landscapes when faced with deeply personal experiences.
The destruction and loss of life in Gaza are undeniable, and they underscore the urgency of finding a peaceful resolution to the long-standing Israel-Palestine conflict. As Israel and Hamas engage in warfare, the global community watches with growing concern, hoping for an end to the violence and suffering. Justin Amash’s poignant posts serve as a call for empathy and an appeal to human decency, urging all parties involved to seek a path toward lasting peace and stability in the region.
Photo: Freepik.com
