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A MESSAGE FROM CONGRESSWOMAN KAMLAGER-DOVE:
Dear Friend,
This past week has been filled with heartbreak—for the horrific Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel, the atrocities committed against Israeli citizens, the violence befalling innocent civilians in Gaza, the growing humanitarian crisis, and all the Angelenos who have been directly or indirectly impacted by the unfolding conflict. My heart aches for the loss of innocent life and all those with loved ones who have been affected by this violence.
In Congress I am working to connect my Israeli-American and Palestinian-American constituents in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank with State Department resources to ensure they are able to reach safety.
STATE DEPARTMENT INFORMATION:
General Safety and Travel Information
Air Travel
- While Ben Gurion International Airport remains open, several major airlines have announced that they have suspended flights. Please check with airlines individually on the availability of flights and flight status or at Ben Gurion’s website here: https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/airports/ben-gurion/flight-board/?flightType=departures. If direct flights from Israel to the United States are unavailable, please consider traveling to a third country and booking a flight to the United States from there.
- Starting Friday, October 13, the U.S. government will arrange charter flights to assist U.S. citizens and their immediate family members who have been unable to book commercial transit and seek a safe means of departing Israel. From these locations, individuals will be able to make their own travel arrangements to the destination of their choice. Senior State Department officials are actively working with airline carriers and international partners on how best to provide additional options to U.S. citizens seeking to depart Israel or conduct onward travel to the United States. U.S. citizens in need of assistance should complete the crisis intake form on travel.state.gov. The Department of State will communicate directly with U.S. citizens who have completed the crisis intake form via email. The overall security situation, availability and reliability of commercial transportation, and U.S. citizen demand will all influence the duration of this departure assistance.
For latest information for U.S. citizens in Israel, click here.
STANDING WITH THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IN CA-37
I unequivocally condemn the Hamas terrorist attacks against innocent Israeli civilians, and I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in California's 37th District that is reeling from this horrific violence. The U.S. supports Israel’s right to self-defense and stands ready to support Israel's security. (Read my full statement here).
These acts are rooted in antisemitism and have only further emboldened antisemitic actors at home and abroad. As a member of the Bipartisan Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and the Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations, I am committed to fighting antisemitism wherever it emerges, now and in the future.
In the aftermath of the attacks, I joined 421 colleagues in cosponsoring a bipartisan resolution supporting Israel and condemning Hamas’ terrorism. The House must come together and work in a bipartisan manner to help promote safety and security for the people of Israel.
When I return home to Los Angeles this weekend, I will be joining events to support the Jewish community and mourn those who have been lost. Please reach out to my staff in Los Angeles at 323-965-1422 if you are organizing an event that my staff or I can attend to show support.
ASSISTING PALESTINIAN AMERICANS IN GAZA AND THE WEST BANK
Concerned with the lack of clear information available to my constituents who are trying to leave Gaza and the West Bank, I joined 16 of my colleagues in asking the State Department to expand its guidance to better assist Palestinian Americans and American citizens in Gaza and the West Bank looking for safe passage to leave the region. We must prioritize the safety of all innocent civilians. Read the full letter here.
PROTECTING INNOCENT CIVILIANS IN GAZA
As details emerged of the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, I joined 58 of my colleagues in calling on President Biden to communicate that Israel’s response in Gaza should be carried out according to international law and take all due measures to limit harm to innocent civilians. I also expressed the need to restore the delivery of food, water, fuel, and electricity to Gaza and to establish a humanitarian corridor to allow civilians to safely leave Gaza. Read the full letter here.
INTERVIEW WITH MSNBC'S AYMAN MOHYELDIN
On Sunday night, I sat down with MSNBC's Ayman Mohyeldin to discuss the Hamas attacks and how the United States can best move forward to support Israel. Congress needs to work together to appropriate supplemental funding to support Israel's right to self-defense while the Senate works to swiftly confirm our Ambassador to Israel and other vacant ambassadorships across the Middle East to ensure security and strong international relationships throughout the region.
To watch my full interview, click here.
INTERVIEW WITH MSNBC'S JONATHAN LEMIRE
On Wednesday morning, I joined Jonathan Lemire in-studio for MSNBC's 'Way Too Early' to discuss supporting the Israeli people, the House vote for Speaker, and the importance of aid for Israel and Ukraine. This past weekend's attacks were deeply personal for the Jewish community across my District who have loved ones impacted by the violence. As a nation, we cannot move to support Israel without a functioning Speakership, which means it is critical for the House to come together to elect a new Speaker, so we can bring the bipartisan resolution condemning the Hamas attacks and supplemental aid funding for Israel to the House Floor for a vote. House Republicans chose the worst possible time to throw a temper tantrum, and it is now incumbent on them to step up, show some leadership, and put our nation back on track to best assist our allies.
To watch my full interview, click here.
As always, I encourage you to contact my offices with any comments or concerns about my work in Congress, the 37th District, or any other matters. Please connect with me on Facebook, , and Instagram to stay up to date on my work in Congress. If you are experiencing issues with Social Security, passports, immigration, or another Federal agency, send in a casework request, and my staff will be happy to assist you.
Sincerely,
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