Warren, Markey, Merkley, Van Hollen Urge Rubio to Protect Safety of Peaceful Civilians in Gaza Flotilla Carrying U.S. Citizens

Warren, Markey, Merkley, Van Hollen Urge Rubio to Protect Safety of Peaceful Civilians in Gaza Flotilla Carrying U.S. Citizens

Under international law civilian vessels are warranted protection.

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) joined Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to intervene with the Netanyahu government to protect the safety of peaceful civilian members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a group of vessels carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has reportedly been facing multiple attacks. U.S. citizens, including residents of Maryland, Massachusetts, and Oregon, are aboard these ships. Under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, they warrant protection.

"You have a critical role to play in ensuring that U.S. foreign policy protects our citizens and promotes international law and humanitarian relief," wrote the senators. "We urge you to demand that the Netanyahu government refrains from any use of force against peaceful civilian vessels and ensures that humanitarian aid is surged into Gaza so that the desperate conditions that continue to prompt these flotillas no longer persist."

The senators requested Secretary Rubio provide them with information on steps taken or that will be taken to protect peaceful civilians on the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Senator Warren has been a strong advocate of calling for more humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza and was the first Senator to open up an investigation into the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. She has also been a vocal advocate against sending more weapons to the Netanyahu government.

###