Heinrich, Vasquez, Stansbury continue to push for humanitarian pause in Middle East

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury and Gabe Vasquez, all members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation, were among a large group of lawmakers who sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urging him to emphasize several vital U.S. priorities with Israeli officials to protect innocent lives, regional stability and American national security interests in the region.

The letter comes as Blinken continues his second trip to the region since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

“We commend President [Joe] Biden and yourself for consistently reaffirming Israel’s right to defend its citizens in the aftermath of Hamas’ horrific October 7th attack, while emphasizing the United States’ commitment to international law and the protection of Israeli and Palestinian civilians,” the lawmakers wrote. “With the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsening by the hour, we urge you to emphasize the following priorities in order to protect innocent lives, regional stability, and American national security interests in the region.”

In the letter, the lawmakers urge Blinken to:

1. Continue reiterating the urgent need for a humanitarian pause and ensure sufficient flow of humanitarian aid
2. Make clear that Israel must conduct military operations within the scope of international law and minimize civilian harm
3. Press the Israeli government to prevent further settler violence in the West Bank
4. Lay the groundwork for intensive diplomacy efforts to achieve sustainable peace

“This conflict requires holistic U.S. leadership — addressing the grave humanitarian needs of today while working towards solutions that prioritize de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy. We commend your dedicated efforts during this conflict, and we remain committed to continued engagement,” the lawmakers wrote.

The letter was also signed by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and U.S. Reps. Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), Donald Beyer (D-Va.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.), André Carson (D-Ind.), Troy Carter (D-La.), Greg Casar (D-Tex.), Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Gerald Connolly (D-Va.), Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Tex.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Stacey Plaskett (D-U.S. Virgin Islands), Donald Payne (D-N.J.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Gregorio Sablan (D-Northern Mariana Islands), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), , Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), Nydia Velásquez (D-N.Y.), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), and Susan Wild (D-Pa.).