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Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), member of the House Appropriations State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, released the following statement on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian violence:

“I am deeply saddened by the violence taking place in Israel and Gaza and am urging both the Israelis and Palestinians to immediately de-escalate tensions. 

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the rocket attacks by Hamas on Israel targeting civilian populations. Hamas continues to be a destabilizing force and an obstacle to peace in the region. 

“As a strong supporter of the U.S.-Israel special relationship, I am deeply disturbed by the potential forced evictions of Palestinian families living in the Sheik Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem and by the aggressive tactics against Palestinian protestors that helped spark the current crisis. This must stop. 

“The first priority must be to achieve an immediate cease-fire and de-escalation of tensions before it spirals even more out of control. Israelis and Palestinians have a right to a just and safe future which can only be achieved through diplomacy.” 

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