Texas Representative Joaquin Castro (D) recently called for the suspension of sending weapons to Israel, as well as a permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.
In a series of tweets, Rep. Castro unleashed his thoughts on the issues at hand.
“I cannot support sending Israel more weapons as long as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power & I urge the Biden Administration, Israeli government, Hamas & other countries to establish a permanent ceasefire & return of Israeli hostages still in Hamas’ captivity. 1/,” tweeted the Texas congressman.
I cannot support sending Israel more weapons as long as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power & I urge the Biden Administration, Israeli government, Hamas & other countries to establish a permanent ceasefire & return of Israeli hostages still in Hamas’ captivity. 1/ https://t.co/6NvmsdZsvx
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
“The death toll in Gaza has exceeded 21,000 including over 8,000 children and thousands more civilians. Entire families and ancient communities have been wiped out by Israel’s often indiscriminate bombing, including the use of over 500 unguided 2000 lb bombs. 2/”
The death toll in Gaza has exceeded 21,000 including over 8,000 children and thousands more civilians.
Entire families and ancient communities have been wiped out by Israel’s often indiscriminate bombing, including the use of over 500 unguided 2000 lb bombs. 2/
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
In the initial attack, the Hamas terrorists, backed by Iran, violently entered the country of Israel shocking the Israelis around the country with the vicious tactics they used against women and children.
“As a United States Congressman, I cannot support this carnage. Like much of the world, I watched in horror as Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on October 7, killing over 1200 people and taking over 200 hostages. 3/,” said Rep. Castro.
As a United States Congressman, I cannot support this carnage.
Like much of the world, I watched in horror as Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on October 7, killing over 1200 people and taking over 200 hostages.
3/
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
“I have seen footage of the attack and met with the families of hostages. It was painful to watch and hear about innocent children, fathers and mothers killed in cold blood. There is no justification. 4/”
I have seen footage of the attack and met with the families of hostages. It was painful to watch and hear about innocent children, fathers and mothers killed in cold blood.
There is no justification. 4/
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
The terrorist group assaulted and killed several women in their inhumane attack on Israel.
“Hamas committed war crimes and should be held accountable. All the hostages they captured must be returned to their families. 5/”
Hamas committed war crimes and should be held accountable.
All the hostages they captured must be returned to their families.
5/
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
Despite the shock and devastation caused by Hamas’ attack, Rep. Castro highlighted how Netanyahu’s response has still been brutal and included attacks against Gazans who are not a part of Hamas.
“But instead of prioritizing these things, Prime Minister Netanyahu has prioritized collective punishment over hostage recovery and actually holding Hamas accountable. 6/”
But instead of prioritizing these things, Prime Minister Netanyahu has prioritized collective punishment over hostage recovery and actually holding Hamas accountable. 6/
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
“I’m in my 11th year in the U.S. House of Representatives representing my hometown of San Antonio. I have served on the Foreign Affairs Committee for 11 years, the Intelligence Committee for 7 years and the Armed Services Committee for 4 years. 7/”
I’m in my 11th year in the U.S. House of Representatives representing my hometown of San Antonio.
I have served on the Foreign Affairs Committee for 11 years, the Intelligence Committee for 7 years and the Armed Services Committee for 4 years. 7/
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
The Texas congressman stated that Netanyahu’s actions and handling of the war have
caused him to call for a suspension of weapons to Israel as well as a permanent ceasefire.
“During my time in Congress, I have always supported assistance to Israel. But the actions of the Israeli military under Benjamin Netanyahu leave me no choice but to oppose providing these weapons that are being used to kill so many innocent civilians in Gaza. 8/”
During my time in Congress, I have always supported assistance to Israel.
But the actions of the Israeli military under Benjamin Netanyahu leave me no choice but to oppose providing these weapons that are being used to kill so many innocent civilians in Gaza. 8/
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
“Since October 7, I have been following this conflict closely in the Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committees, and engaged with the Biden Administration, experts, victims of Hamas, and Palestinians devastated by the Israeli military’s actions. 9/”
Since October 7, I have been following this conflict closely in the Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committees, and engaged with the Biden Administration, experts, victims of Hamas, and Palestinians devastated by the Israeli military’s actions. 9/
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
“When the Congress votes to fund U.S. military operations we ask tough questions and demand clear answers about their objectives and plans. I expect no less a standard when asked to fund a foreign country’s military campaign, and I do not believe Israel meets that standard. 9/”
When the Congress votes to fund U.S. military operations we ask tough questions and demand clear answers about their objectives and plans.
I expect no less a standard when asked to fund a foreign country’s military campaign, and I do not believe Israel meets that standard. 9/
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
“I first called for a ceasefire on October 17. The need for one is even more dire today. I’m more convinced today that Israel is not complying with international humanitarian law. 10/”
I first called for a ceasefire on October 17. The need for one is even more dire today.
I’m more convinced today that Israel is not complying with international humanitarian law. 10/
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
Rep. Castro took measures further and questioned if the U.S. government was holding Israel to an ethical standard.
“I’m not confident that our government is effectively monitoring Israel’s compliance with these laws or effectively holding them accountable. I have no faith in Benjamin Netanyahu or the kind of war he is waging. 11/”
I’m not confident that our government is effectively monitoring Israel’s compliance with these laws or effectively holding them accountable.
I have no faith in Benjamin Netanyahu or the kind of war he is waging. 11/
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
“American servicememembers in Iraq, Syria and the Red Sea have come under attack over 100 times by Hamas’ allies since October 7. Dozens of men and women in uniform have been injured. 12/”
American servicememembers in Iraq, Syria and the Red Sea have come under attack over 100 times by Hamas’ allies since October 7.
Dozens of men and women in uniform have been injured. 12/
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
“The longer this war continues the likelihood of the United States fully entering the conflict and putting yet more American lives at risk only increases. 13/”
The longer this war continues the likelihood of the United States fully entering the conflict and putting yet more American lives at risk only increases. 13/
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
Recently, President Joe Biden (D) ordered strikes on Iran in response to attacks from Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed militias.
“President Biden has tried forceful private diplomacy to push PM Netanyahu to change what he’s doing, while taking a more measured approach in public statements. 14/”
President Biden has tried forceful
private diplomacy to push PM Netanyahu to change what he’s doing, while taking a more measured approach in public statements. 14/— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
“Given PM Netanyahu’s decision to significantly escalate the war this week in Southern Gaza, it appears this “bear hug” approach has failed and we must change course. 15/”
Given PM Netanyahu’s decision to significantly escalate the war this week in Southern Gaza, it appears this “bear hug” approach has failed and we must change course. 15/
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
“Since around the second time Netanyahu came into power we have abandoned our role as fair arbiter that brings Israelis and Palestinians together to negotiate a permanent peace. We stopped doing everything we could to push both sides to the table. 16/“
Since around the second time Netanyahu came into power we have abandoned our role as fair arbiter that brings Israelis and Palestinians together to negotiate a permanent peace.
We stopped doing everything we could to push both sides to the table. 16/
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
“We stopped leading as peace brokers. Instead we became a rubber stamp for a right wing leader who rejected a two-state solution, propped up Hamas, undermined the Palestinian Authority and likely committed crimes that may land him in jail. 17/“
We stopped leading as peace brokers.
Instead we became a rubber stamp for a right wing leader who rejected a two-state solution, propped up Hamas, undermined the Palestinian Authority and likely committed crimes that may land him in jail. 17/
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
“We must assertively reclaim our role as peace broker by publicly working to bring about a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages by Hamas, delivery of significant humanitarian assistance to Gaza and, ultimately, a lasting peace. 18/18 END”
We must assertively reclaim our role as peace broker by publicly working to bring about a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages by Hamas, delivery of significant humanitarian assistance to Gaza and, ultimately, a lasting peace. 18/18 END
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) December 27, 2023
As the war continues, it appears that more members of Congress are growing increasingly concerned about how it will play out. However, members are split as to what the U.S.’s stance on the war should be.
