Israel’s legitimate need for self defense against terrorism requires proportionality and cannot justify tank and helicopter attacks on civilians that have resulted in the deaths of dozens of non combatants, including women and children, in the Rafah area.  These attacks included the reckless killing of civilians protesting against the destruction of their homes and neighborhoods and are wrong and unacceptable.  Obstruction and delays of ambulances by Israeli forces have also increased suffering.   Nor does any compelling security need justify the widespread destruction of the homes of Palestinian families across a wide area in Rafah that has multiplied the humanitarian damage. 

As an ally of Israel and a friend of the Palestinians, the United States has a moral responsibility to demand that Israel end these attacks on Palestinians while demanding that Palestinians also abandon violence and terror.  The need is urgent for both sides to renew peaceful negotiations to end the terrible cycle of violence in the land that is called holy.”