A group of House Democrats is introducing a resolution urging the Biden administration to call for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
On Monday, Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “We must do everything we can to save lives.”
Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Andre Carson (D-Ind.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) joined Bush in supporting the resolution.
The resolution calls for “an immediate de-escalation and cease-fire in Israel and occupied Palestine” as it states, “All human life is precious, and the targeting of civilians, no matter their faith or ethnicity, is a violation of international humanitarian law.”
It also pointed out that the U.S. “holds immense diplomatic power to save Israeli and Palestinian lives.”
The resolution “urges the Biden administration to immediately call for and facilitate de-escalation and cease-fire to urgently end the violence.”
Additionally, it “calls upon the Biden administration to promptly send and facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.”
We must do everything we can to save lives.@RepRashida, @RepAndreCarson, @RepSummerLee, @RepDeliaramirez, and I are introducing the #CeasefireNOW Resolution to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and Palestine.
— Congresswoman Cori Bush (Archived) (@RepCori) October 16, 2023
I urge my colleagues to join us. pic.twitter.com/DlZ2k365zL
Several social media users were quick to point out a reference missing from the resolution.
Journalist Ben Jacobs wrote on X, “CRTL+F for the phrase ‘hostages’ doesn’t seem to come up with anything here.”
CRTL+F for the phrase "hostages" doesn't seem to come up with anything here https://t.co/UIUUIoyIHA
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) October 16, 2023
“Notice not one word about the hostages, including Americans, being held in Gaza in this resolution from the Congressional Hamas caucus,” another user wrote.
Notice not one word about the hostages, including Americans, being held in Gaza in this resolution from the Congressional Hamas caucus. https://t.co/lCUeL6Qh8O
— AG (@AGHamilton29) October 16, 2023
Conservative commentator Emily Zanotti asked, “Wouldn’t it make way more sense to introduce a resolution called ‘RELEASE HOSTAGES NOW.’”
https://twitter.com/emzanotti/status/1713983686381593076
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) wrote, “Sorry, I must be blind. Where’s the part condemning Hamas for slaughtering babies or demanding that tortured hostages be released?”
While the resolution referenced “occupied Palestine,” Israel withdrew its presence from the territory in 2005. And in 2006, Hamas won an election and has governed the area ever since.
The resolution comes after Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
At least 1,300 people were killed in Israel in the attack. Meanwhile, at least 1,900 Palestinians have been killed following Israel’s strikes in retaliation.
Additionally, Israel’s military says Hamas is holding 199 hostages.
