SACRAMENTO – State Senator John Laird made the following statement today regarding the widespread famine and deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza:

“I was deeply moved to see our own Rabbi Paula Marcus of Temple Beth El in Aptos standing shoulder-to-shoulder with other rabbis from across the San Francisco Bay Area, calling on the Israeli government to let food into Gaza. For nearly two years, the people of Gaza have endured bombardment, displacement, and deprivation — a crisis that has only deepened since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which killed over a thousand people and took hundreds hostage. 

Tens of thousands have also been killed in Gaza — including thousands of children — and today, that suffering has reached a breaking point as food supplies are cut off, humanitarian aid is blocked, and families are being pushed to the brink of starvation. Seeing rabbis demonstrate at the Israeli consulate was a powerful statement, particularly in the light of those who deny the extent of deprivation in Gaza. 

In the course of the days since October 7, 2023, I have met and talked with many constituents of all points of view.  Even though I am a state representative, I have incoming emails every week about the situation in Gaza.  It’s time to end the hostilities, free the hostages, restore food and basic services to Gaza, reject the proposed military takeover of Gaza, and work toward freedom, self-determination and reconstruction across the region. In the short term, there is still time to save lives in Gaza — but we need to act now.”

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Senator John Laird represents the 17^th State Senate District, which includes all of Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey Counties, as well as the majority of San Luis Obispo County. More information on Senator Laird can be found here.