Letter from a Senate Staffer
Dear Senator,
It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve the American people in your office. Many days, I wake and reflect on my fortune to be working at your side as a small-town American from a blue-collar family who joined the U.S. military for a better life. In my years of service to you and your constituents, I have faithfully executed my duties as your scribe, giving voice to your vision through memos, tweets, and legislation. I am an ambassador to your constituents, representing your heart, mind, and values. Yet I recognize our time is one of deep division, discord, and discontent. And as a veteran, sworn, like you, to protect and defend the constitution, our moment is one of great pain.
I, like so many other veterans who came of age in the shadow of 9/11, found ourselves on the front lines of a series of endless wars against an invisible enemy. Wars that, by some estimates, have resulted in the cumulative deaths of over 4.5 million people while leaving over 7.6 million children suffering from acute malnutrition. The gods gave birth to a brave new world on that hapless day, where, in the minds of many, the abstract arrangement of vowels and consonants used to discern identity, paired with the perceived type and quantity of melanin in their skin, determined one’s right to life. Many of my brothers and sisters in arms grew numb to the plight of the desperate souls of the Middle East living under a perpetual hail of bullets and bombs. Yet, through it all, I maintained a belief that the ignorance of a few is not a reflection of the many, and though America, too, makes mistakes, its values of inclusivity, equality, and justice for all set us apart and give hope to millions of the oppressed that they too can realize a better life. That is why it pains me to watch as America, in this moment of opportunity to embrace its most foundational values, has turned its back on the most beleaguered population on earth and allowed daily tragedies, the depravity of which transcend the worst nightmares of Dante Alighieri.
It is undeniable that the gruesome deaths inflicted by Hamas are revolting, repugnant, and reprehensible, but have we not learned from our own misdeeds, miscalculations, and misadventures? What has America wrought in Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Yemen in response to the tragedy we suffered in lower Manhattan? Is the price of security payable only in the currency of the charred, lifeless bodies of the innocent? Could it not be procured through books, clothing, or food? With each scarring clip sliding beneath my thumb, I see young boys and girls named Ahmed, Mona, Hassan, and Nour suffering incomprehensible physical and emotional harm. I ask you, are their lives less valuable than those of Timothy, Jessica, Michael, or Karen? Is it not a matter of sheer luck that you and I were born with the privilege to determine the fate of others? Born with the privilege of never knowing the grim din of armed drones circling overhead like angels of death sent to reap human souls? Our unconditional support for Israel's endless bombardment will reverberate through history not as a demonstration of America's commitment to democratic values but yet another manifestation of its abuse of power in the name of short-term goals despite its long-term security interests.
We must not allow the crimes of previous generations to justify atrocities in ours. As the most significant economic and military power on earth, it is incumbent upon the U.S. to treat all nations and their actions equally under the law despite their race, religion, or creed, lest we, too, suffer the catastrophic fate of empires past. For if we cannot stand up against the indefensible, then our complicity will leave our constitution forever stained.
In this time, the Senate must act in accordance with its obligations to protect and defend the American people. Why, then, I ask, does our perceived obligation to protect and defend the Israeli people today take precedence over American security tomorrow? Each civilian killed by American guns, bullets, and bombs secures a generation of hate for our project of self-government and self-determination. Neglecting our obligations to international law ignores the security of our children and our children's children. The ramifications of which will cement our place in the annals of history as yet another empire that lost its way in the fog of war. Fredrick Douglas once opined, “Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.”
Your duty, Senator, is to America, not Israel. To be secure in our persons, houses, papers, and effects, America must honor the right of self-determination for all people working through mediation and reconciliation to achieve a lasting peace. In the unspoken words of President John F. Kennedy, “We, in this country, in this generation, are – by destiny rather than by choice – the watchmen on the walls of world freedom. We ask, therefore, that we may be worthy of our power and responsibility, that we may exercise our strength with wisdom and restraint, and that we may achieve in our time and for all time the ancient vision of ‘peace on earth, good will toward men.’ That must always be our goal, and the righteousness of our cause must always underlie our strength.” Kennedy was tragically assassinated before his scheduled delivery of these remarks. However, these words force reflection on our stewardship of the "walls of world freedom."
There is significant evidence that Israel's policies and military actions in Gaza, enabled by American financial and military support, constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. Moreover, experts have characterized Israel's treatment of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank as a system of apartheid and ethnic cleansing, with evidence of unlawful forcible transfers and deportations. As a signatory to the Geneva Conventions and Genocide Convention, the U.S. has a legal obligation to prevent the commission of genocide and other war crimes, not enable them through financial and military aid.
For these reasons, I ask you to call for the following:
An immediate cessation of military activities – To prevent further loss of innocent civilian life, allow the provision of humanitarian aid, uphold international law and human rights, reassert America's role as an honest broker, create an environment for lasting peace, and promote America's security and interests through regional stability.
The release of hostages and political prisoners – To secure the freedom of hostages taken by Hamas and women and children imprisoned by Israel, helping to build trust and momentum for peace talks while aligning with American values of due process and human dignity.
An end to the occupation – To realize a one-state solution that values Muslims and Jews as equals with equal rights to self-determination under international law and reflecting the generations of Muslims and Jews living in unity in the region prior to the 1948 Nakba.
A halt to all military aid to Israel – Providing additional military assistance to Israel at this time would effectively condone and perpetuate the country's apparent violations of international law and human rights standards.
These decisions undoubtedly weigh heavy on your heart. However, I, like many in these halls, will not watch the agencies we oversee, the dollars we appropriate, and the weapons we manufacture coalesce in an act of genocide. The U.S. must live up to its commitments under international treaties and uphold its responsibility to promote respect for human rights.
I hope you see the common humanity from which these words derive and that you will give due consideration to my plea.
Now is your time to lead. Demand what's right, end the slaughter, lift the siege.
Sincerely,
A Senate Staffer and Iraq War Veteran