[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 10, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E16]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          ECHOING CONCERN OF MASS RESETTLEMENT OF PALESTINIANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 10, 2024

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge the Biden administration to 
seek an unequivocal statement of commitment by the Israeli government 
against mass resettlement of civilians from Gaza.
  I echo the concerns of JStreet: any form of mass permanent transfer 
of families in Gaza from their homeland constitutes an undeniable 
violation of international human rights law. For too long, Palestinian 
families have been forced from their homes and endured violence 
perpetrated by many settlers and the Israeli military. To date, Israeli 
military operations have displaced more than 85 percent of Gaza 
residents from their homes, and the United Nations estimates that more 
than a quarter of Gaza residents will have no home to return to.
  The United States has a duty to insist on a public, unequivocal 
commitment by Prime Minister Netanyahu to stop the displacement of 
Palestinians living in Gaza and to accept the right of millions of 
Palestinians to live in peace and safety within Palestinian territory.
  As a major military assistance ally, the United States must hold the 
Israeli government accountable to this and increase pressure to 
facilitate humanitarian aid to the region. An immediate, comprehensive 
commitment to ensuring there is no mass displacement of civilians from 
Gaza--half of whom are children--is required for there to be any hope 
for peace today or for future generations of Palestinians and Israelis.

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