We Americans sit back and self-righteously criticize governments around the world for atrocities. Yet our hands are not clean. Currently, over 21,500 people have been killed in Gaza — overwhelmingly innocent civilians, women and children — and those still alive are dying slowly from hunger, thirst and preventable diseases. Seventy percent of the population is homeless, and the infrastructure is destroyed. This death and destruction could not have happened without weapons, money and support from the United States. Support from our government, from our tax dollars.

We cannot control Hamas. We cannot control the Israeli government. We can vote in the United States. Contact your representatives and urge them to continue to call loudly for an immediate ceasefire, return of hostages/prisoners on both sides, real humanitarian aid, and meaningful negotiations. Thank your representatives when they do.

Elaine Bodurtha

Middlebury