RELEASE: REP. KHANNA LEADS 24 CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATS IN CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF U.S. CITIZENS WHO WERE ON THE FLOTILLA AND DETAINED IN ISRAEL

Washington, DC - Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17), member of the House Armed Services Committee, sent a letterjoined by 24 of his California colleagues to Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling for the release of the U.S. citizens - including California residents - who have been detained in Israel since the Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted by the Israeli military on October 1st and 2nd.

"The Americans on the Flotilla were simply delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. I spoke with Laura Adler, the sister of California resident David Adler who was detained. She has not had contact with David since October 1st. Israel must release these U.S. citizens, stop the war in Gaza, and let aid in," said Rep. Ro Khanna.

Full text of the letterbelow:

Dear Secretary Rubio,

On October 1st and 2nd, the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying over 450 participants from more than 40 countries - including nearly two dozen U.S. citizens - was intercepted by the Israeli military. Twenty-one U.S. citizens remain in Israeli detention, including three individuals who reside in our state of California. We call on you to immediately do everything in your power to ensure the release of these U.S. citizens and to ensure their fair and safe treatment.

Among the U.S. citizens currently being detained is California resident, David Adler. David is the co-General Coordinator of Progressive International and a Jewish American. Additionally, Tommy Marcus who resides in California, Geraldine Ramirez of Cathedral City, and Logan Hollarsmith from San Francisco remain in custody. Like the other participants in the Global Sumud Flotilla, David, Tommy, Geraldine, and Logan joined in this non-violent mission to deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

The humanitarian situation is growing more dire by the day. 100% of the population, 1.98 million people, are currently food insecure. 92% of all housing units are either damaged or destroyed. 1.5 million people are in need of emergency shelter items. 49% of the population does not have access to a minimum standard of drinking water per day. We call for humanitarian aid to be sent to the people of Gaza.

The U.S. has an obligation to protect its citizens abroad and must act immediately. We understand most of the flotilla was in international waters when it was boarded, reportedly still seventy nautical miles from shore. We call on you to work for the immediate and safe release, including arranging the logistics of a plane to ensure their speedy recovery, of U.S. citizens who were on the flotilla and are still being held in Israeli prisons, including California residents.

Sincerely,

List of signers: Representatives Nanette Barragán, Judy Chu, Gilbert Cisneros, Jim Costa, Mark DeSaulnier, Laura Friedman, John Garamendi, Robert Garcia, Jared Huffman, Sara Jacobs, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Ro Khanna, Sam Liccardo, Zoe Lofgren, Doris Matsui, Kevin Mullin, Nancy Pelosi, Scott Peters, Luz Rivas, Raul Ruiz, Lateefah Simon, Eric Swalwell, Mark Takano, Mike Thompson, and Derek Tran.

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