Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick Issues Statement about the Escalating Conflict between Israel and Hezbollah

Detroit, MI – Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (13th District-MI) issued the following statement today regarding the escalating violence in the Middle East:

I am deeply concerned about the escalating violence between Israel and Lebanon.  The violence is resulting in substantial losses of innocent civilian lives.

Both Israel and Hezbollah bear responsibility for the violence. In the current situation, the level of response to aggression should be measured and proportionately directed at the real aggressors, not innocent civilians.

Israel’s military operation has caused deaths of over 200 largely innocent Lebanese civilians. At the same time, Hezbollah bombings have killed more than 20 Israelis.  Strategic bombings by Israel are resulting in the devastation of not only the Lebanese infrastructure, but the loss of lives of non-combatants.

It is vital the following occur: 1) An immediate cease-fire must take place; 2) Israel must allow all Americans to be evacuated to ships waiting to transport them. 3) Hezbollah must agree to a cessation of bombing targets in Israel during the cease-fire; 4) President Bush and the administration must enter into dialogue to facilitate an interim agreement; 5) Both Israel and leaders of Hezbollah should allow for the medically injured to be evacuated and attended to; and 6) The sovereign government of Lebanon should be restored in order that it may engage in legitimate negotiations between Israel and Hezbollah.

As a member with diverse constituents who are Jewish, Arab American, and of Lebanese descent, I am concerned about the human and emotional toll that the conflict is inflicting on affected victims within Lebanon, the region involving Gaza, and my district in Michigan.  In the spirit of reconciliation and compassion, I call upon the Israeli government and the leaders of Hezbollah to terminate their violent activities. Israel and Hezbollah must enter into serious and honest discussions regarding the return of the kidnapped Israeli soldiers and the exchange of prisoners held by Israel.

The current crisis is spiraling out of control, and our President must demonstrate leadership.  The President must send a strong signal that the United States does not condone the ongoing loss of innocent civilian lives by Israelis, Palestinians, Lebanese, and other nationalities caught in the regional conflict.

I have recently traveled to the Middle East and was shocked by anti-American sentiments. Our friends say that America is forsaking its friends in the region. There are grave concerns about our invasion and occupation of Iraq and our negative response to the democratically elected Palestinian leaders. These negative sentiments are beginning to take hold widely in the region. Unfortunately, recent events in Israel, Lebanon, and Gaza only serve to reinforce my concerns about the lack of diplomatic and peaceful negotiations between our ally Israel and its volatile neighbors in the region.

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