Press Release

Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA) today delivered a video statement on the Israel-Hamas War.

In the video, Rep. Bera stated: “Earlier this week, when I spoke with one of my Palestinian constituents, I could hear the pain, anguish, despair, and anger in his voice over his personal loss of friends and family in Gaza. 

These sentiments mirrored the deep grief I heard in the voices of my Jewish constituents after their own tragic losses on October 7. 

While I firmly believe Israel has the right to exist and to defend itself, so do innocent Palestinians have a right to a life of peace and dignity. 

I hope that one day Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace. I don’t know if that is an impossible dream. But I do know it will never be accomplished if innocent Israelis are murdered and innocent Palestinians are killed. 

We need an immediate pause in order to get needed humanitarian aid, food, water, and medicine to struggling civilians. Then we need to find a different path forward.”

Representative Bera is a senior Member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.