Rep. Balint joins call for Israeli ceasefire in Gaza

WASHINGTON (WCAX) - Vermont Congresswoman Becca Balint is now calling for a ceasefire in Israel’s war with Hamas.

It comes as more than 11,400 Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to Palestinian health authorities, and aid agencies are warning of the possibility of starvation in the besieged enclave.

“What is needed right now is an immediate break in violence to allow for a true negotiated ceasefire,” Balint said in an op-ed released to the media Thursday. While the remarks show a notable change in her original stance on the conflict, Balint describes the shift as a “more complete explanation of her position.” “Israel’s responsibility to protect civilians, [but] even though Hamas embeds its terrorist and its communication systems in [civilian areas], it’s not ok to bomb densely populated areas.”

Balint’s spokesperson, Sophie Pollock, says the COngresswoman is the first Jewish member of the House to call for a ceasefire, joining 26 other state representatives and one senator from Illinois. Balint is also the first member of Vermont’s congressional delegation to do so.

Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Sanders says Congress and the Biden Administration must take action to save innocent lives but does not see working with Hamas as the way to do that.

“I am not quite sure how you negotiate a ceasefire with a terrorist organization that is dedicated to perpetual war,” Sanders said in a statement.

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