BURLINGTON, VT – Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the following expanded statement following reports from World Central Kitchen it was deliberately targeted for delivering life-saving food aid to Gaza:
“Only weeks ago, I welcomed World Central Kitchen Founder and Chef José Andrés to Capitol Hill for a private briefing with my colleagues, where he discussed the daunting challenges WCK faces in delivering food aid to Gazans in need. The Israeli missile attack that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers is more tragic evidence that the way the Netanyahu government is conducting this war is terribly wrong.
“Our hearts go out to World Central Kitchen as they mourn their colleagues and friends, and we extend our condolences to their families and loved ones. Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, John Chapman, Jacob Flickinger, Zomi Frankcom, James Henderson, James Kirby, and Damian Sobol should be with us today.
“Netanyahu insists this outrageous attack was a mistake — we’ve heard this too many times before. Hundreds of aid workers and medical professionals have been killed in Gaza as they try to help the innocent. The United States should demand a thorough, independent investigation.
“The U.S. has a responsibility to stop financing the Netanyahu government’s strategy, which has so disproportionately killed civilians, aid workers, and medical personnel, used food as a weapon, and that has no vision to establish a viable, independent Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel.”
Read more about the March 14th briefing hosted by Sen. Welch featuring WCK and José Andrés here.
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