Dear Senator Risch:

 We write with a great sense of urgency to respectfully request that you release your hold on tens of millions of dollars in appropriated humanitarian aid that is so desperately needed to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands civilians suffering in Gaza and the West Bank in the wake of  the horrific violence that took place in the last several weeks. 

Gaza is experiencing a humanitarian catastrophe.  Buildings lie in rubble. Access to clean water and electricity is sporadic or nonexistent. Food insecurity is spreading. COVID-19 is running rampant and thousands of people have been displaced and rendered homeless. The magnitude of the crisis is staggering.

As the ceasefire takes hold, the United States can help relieve the suffering of countless innocent civilians caught in the crossfire of Hamas terror rockets and Israeli aerial bombardment. The assistance aid notified by the State Department is to be provided in full accordance with U.S. law. It is administered and overseen by our government and by trusted and vetted partners on the ground. Secretary Antony Blinken has made clear that Hamas and other terrorist groups will not benefit from our humanitarian assistance.

Rendering humanitarian assistance to the besieged Palestinian population serves American values as well as our diplomatic and security interests. Please act with dispatch to release these funds. Thank you for your attention.

Very truly yours,

Jamie Raskin (Member of Congress)