Open Your Eyes to Genocide in Gaza, Congressman Casten

In Congressman Casten’s worldview, foreign policy, foreign wars including genocide in Gaza, are topics that dare not speak their name in Illinois’ 6th District.

Go to Congressman Sean Casten’s website. You will find virtually no mention of the ongoing genocide in Gaza; a genocide that Casten backs with his lockstep support of President Biden’s fueling Israel’s genocidal ethnic cleansing there.

Foreign policy, including US foreign wars do not appear on his website. The closest Casten comes on his issues link is ‘Veteran’s Affairs.’

There is one press release on Gaza. Fifty-one days ago Casten praised the humanitarian pause in the genocide to obtain a partial hostage release and humanitarian aid to Palestinians. Casten ended with “It is my hope that parties on both sides may build on these tentative first steps to come together and work to secure a durable, region-wide peace.”

Somehow Casten missed that the Israeli side has bombed to rubble over 100,000 buildings using US two thousand pounders that Casten approves his president sending to complete the genocidal ethnic cleansing of Palestinians there. Over 2,000,000 Palestinians are homeless. He ignores the US supported cutoff of nearly all food, water, medicine and functioning hospitals destroying hundreds daily.

When pressed by the 6th District bases West Suburban Peace Coalition and other district residents, Casten refuses all entreaties to call for ceasefire to end the genocide. He claims the situation is complicated with many facts to consider.

Congressman Casten should consider following the genocide hearings against Israel and by implication, the US at the International Court of Justice. His moral compass may become activated, causing him to join with 64 other congresspersons, including local Democratic colleagues Jonathon Jackson, Jesus Garcia, and Delia Ramirez, in calling for immediate, full and enduring ceasefire in Gaza.

The 2,300,000 Palestinians in Gaza cannot wait another second for their release from the worst genocide in this century, occurring before our eyes. Open your eyes to this genocide Congressman and speak up. Saving your moral standing in the 6th District cannot wait another second as well.

Walt Zlotow became involved in antiwar activities upon entering University of Chicago in 1963. He is current president of the West Suburban Peace Coalition based in the Chicago western suburbs. He blogs daily on antiwar and other issues at www.heartlandprogressive.blogspot.com.