Barbara Lee Calls on Department of State to Ensure Safety of American Passengers on Gaza-Bound U.S. Ship
For Immediate Release
June 28, 2011
Contact:
Ricci Graham, (510) 763-0370
Washington D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined several congressional colleagues in expressing concern for the safety of American passengers aboard a U.S. ship, The Audacity of Hope, scheduled to set sail for Gaza in the coming days.
“We request that you do everything in your power to work with the Israeli government to ensure the safety of the U.S. citizens on board.
“We wholeheartedly support Israel’s right, and indeed its duty, to protect its citizens from security threats. The measures it uses to do so, as in the case of any other nation, must conform to international humanitarian and human rights law.
“We are encouraged that The Audacity of Hope organizers have stated that their cargo ‘is open to international inspection’ and that they ‘are fully committed to nonviolence and the tenets of international law.’
“We look forward to working with you in any way we can and encourage you to ensure the safety of all American citizens on board The Audacity of Hope.”
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Congressman William Lacy Clay (D-MO), Congressman Bob Filner (D-CA), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA) and Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) were among the six Members of Congress who, along with Congresswoman Lee, sent the open letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last week requesting United States support.
Follow Barbara Lee on Twitter@RepBarbaraLee
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