Gaza is not only a moral issue--intentional starvation of an entire people, children the first to suffer and die, but everyone else in Gaza will follow. Doctors are unable to care for patients not just because they have no supplies, but many are often too weak from their own starvation to continue; mothers are unable to feed their newborn infants as they do not have enough breast milk due to malnutrition; fathers shot trying to access food for their families. We can watch this every day.  A " tiny trickle" of aid trucks being let in, as 6,000 trucks loaded with life saving supplies sit at the border, kept out at gunpoint.

AND THE US GOVERNMENT COULD STOP ALL THIS WITH ONE PHONE CALL, telling Netanyahu no more military aid until there is a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian aid is allowed in by groups who have been doing this successfully for decades. 

And then there are the economics — We have already given the Israeli government   $22.76 BILLION  since Oct 7, 2024, according to Brown Univ. Cost of War project — enough money if it stayed " home" as taxpayers expect it to, to support Medicaid, stop social security cuts, fund two years of college for everyone and pay for universal  early childhood education!

There is a sickness in our nation, and it is called War. We are accepting not just starvation of the children and families of Palestine, but of our own people as well-a starvation of the heart, and well being of our own citizens. Speak out. Do whatever you can to tell leadership at every level, Not In Our Name. Every day. Join us at PO Square 12-12:30 p.m. every Sunday. Talk to your family, your neighbors.  Bring the war dollars home, send food, not bombs. These are not just slogans. They are a matter of life and breath for all of us. 

Meredith Bruskin lives in Swanville