U.S. Democratic Senator Peter Welch has called for an "indefinite ceasefire" in Gaza to "prevent further civilian casualties."
In a written statement, Welch expressed support for Israel's "right to defend itself" but emphasized that it should not do so "in a way that leads to significant civilian losses and the extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza."
Stating that this bombing will only "further provoke enemies" for Israel and the United States, Welch used the phrase "Therefore, the ceasefire should be extended indefinitely."
Highlighting the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, including the stabbing death of a 6-year-old child of Palestinian origin and the shooting of three Palestinian-origin students in the United States, as well as the increase in anti-Semitism, Welch added, "The effects of the conflict in the Middle East have resonated worldwide, and we have seen its effects here in the form of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism."
Emphasizing the need to end this "cycle of fear, intimidation, and violence," Welch underlined, "The U.S. cannot turn a blind eye to the resumption of bombing that has caused the death and injury of so many civilians."
