House of Representatives Votes to Conceal Gaza Death Toll
In a surprising move, the House of Representatives has voted in favor of effectively concealing the death toll from Israel’s war on Gaza. The vote, which took place on Thursday, resulted in a 269-144 majority in favor of an amendment that prohibits the State Department from citing statistics from the Gaza Health Ministry. This amendment is part of the annual State Department appropriations bill and was led by Democratic Reps. Jared Moskowitz, Josh Gottheimer, and Republican Reps. Joe Wilson, Mike Lawler, and Carol Miller.
What is particularly concerning is that 62 Democrats joined 207 Republicans in supporting this amendment, effectively banning the State Department from using the Gaza Health Ministry’s death and injury figures. This move undermines the credibility of the organization and raises questions about transparency and accountability.
It is worth noting that party leaders often exert influence over their members’ voting decisions. However, in this case, Democratic leadership did not provide any recommendation to its members on how to vote on the amendment. This lack of guidance suggests a reluctance to take a stand on this issue.
The amendment has sparked outrage among advocates for Palestinian rights. Mohammed Khader, policy manager at the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights Action, described it as “genocide denial” and compared it to similar acts of denial in other historical genocides. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian member of Congress, echoed this sentiment, calling it “genocide denial” during her speech on the House floor.
Tlaib also highlighted the staggering death toll and other statistics about casualties in Gaza. She expressed her intention to introduce the list of Palestinians killed in Gaza to the congressional record but was unable to do so due to text limits. This emphasizes the magnitude of the crisis and the urgent need for attention and action.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry’s latest figures, Israel has killed at least 37,765 people and injured another 86,429 over the last eight months. However, these numbers are likely an undercount due to the decimated medical infrastructure and the loss of medical workers. Additionally, there are thousands feared trapped under the rubble in Gaza.
The decision by 62 Democrats to join Republicans in refuting the Gaza death toll has been met with criticism. A Democratic staffer described it as “despicable” and accused Democratic leadership of refusing to address the anti-Palestinian sentiment within the party.
This amendment is not an isolated incident. Moskowitz and Gottheimer, along with other Democrats, have repeatedly worked against the movement for Palestinian rights and pro-Palestinian speech. They have led resolutions condemning certain phrases as antisemitic and have censured Rep. Tlaib for her advocacy efforts. Gottheimer has even gone as far as calling Democrats who don’t support Israel a “cancer” and suggesting that Muslims in America are “guilty” of Hamas’s attacks.
The concealment of the Gaza death toll is a concerning development that raises questions about transparency, accountability, and the commitment to human rights. It is crucial for lawmakers to prioritize truth and justice, especially in times of conflict and crisis. The decision to hide the true extent of the casualties only perpetuates the suffering of the Palestinian people and undermines efforts for a just resolution.
