Canadian, American, German lawmakers call for ‘urgent humanitarian cease-fire’ in Gaza

BERLIN (AA) – A group of German, Canadian and American lawmakers have signed an open letter calling on their countries’ leaders to step up diplomatic efforts for an “urgent humanitarian cease-fire” in Gaza.

The letter, published by the TAZ newspaper, was signed by German parliament’s Vice President Aydan Ozoguz, Social Democrat Party’s (SPD) senior lawmaker Ralf Stegner, the parliament’s human rights committee member Derya Türk-Nachbaur, John Aldag from Liberal Party of Canada, Charlie Angus from New Democratic Party of Canada, and US representatives Sanford Bishop, Andre Carson, Lloyd Doggett, and Veronica Escobar.

“We believe that the price of defeating Hamas cannot be the ongoing suffering of all Palestinian civilians. Even Israeli hostages have inadvertently become victims of Israel’s military action. A renewed humanitarian cease-fire is needed now,” the lawmakers said.

“A new and sustainable cease-fire would allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza to begin to alleviate the growing humanitarian catastrophe of injuries, illness, malnutrition and dehydration.”

Israel’s bombing of Gaza since an attack by Hamas on October 7 has killed more than 24,600 Palestinian civilians, including over 7,000 children, destroyed infrastructure and displaced millions in Gaza.

The lawmakers called on the leaders, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and US President Joe Biden, to undertake diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict, reach a sustainable cease-fire, and revive talks for a two-state solution.

“We believe that our countries should spearhead a renewed foreign policy push to secure an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that places the rights, dignity and security of both Israelis and Palestinians at the core,” the lawmakers said.

Stressing that the two-state solution is the only viable path forward, they called on the leaders to exert diplomatic pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to stop aggressive expansion of Israeli settlements.

“Our solidarity with Jewish people and our belief in the importance of a Jewish state makes it even more vital for Germany, the United States and Canada to urge Israel’s government to abandon policies that will only lead to more violence and hatred,” they said.