Democrats demand ceasefire, humanitarian aid in Gaza

New Mexico Democrats gathered at Civic Plaza on Monday to call on members of the state’s congressional delegation to toughen its demands for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

The party’s State Central Committee voted this weekend in favor of a resolution demanding that the congressional delegation press President Biden to “immediately end the current violence.”

The resolution, approved 527-185, with 92 abstentions, also calls on the Biden administration to “facilitate the delivery of adequate humanitarian assistance” including food, water and medical supplies.

Committee member Samia Assed said the resolution was originally proposed in October and passage followed four months of intense discussions to win approval. Those discussions included a nine-hour debate at the party’s primary convention on March 9, she said.

“The Democratic Party must realize that we represent the voters and our representatives must heed our voices and our asks and our demands,” Assed said.

Israel initiated a war in Gaza following an Oct. 7 raid by Hamas across southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in scores taken hostage.

The war has killed at least 32,000 Palestinians, of which women and children make up two-thirds of the dead, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., responded Monday through a spokeswoman that he was the first member of New Mexico’s congressional delegation to call for a cease-fire. Vasquez called for a “humanitarian pause” in the fighting on Oct. 28.

In addition, Vasquez voted for an $8.7 billion aid package to provide humanitarian aid for people in Gaza, said his spokeswoman, Valeria Ojeda-Avitia.

Archbishop of Santa Fe John Wester joined Democrats on Monday in calling for an immediate cease-fire.

“The siege of Gaza has lasted for almost five months and has already resulted in the deaths of more than 32,000 people, most of them innocent civilians,” Wester said.

“A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Gaza before the eyes of the world,” Wester said, reading a statement he released in recent weeks. “In such a conflict, continuing such warfare is neither just nor tolerable.”

State Sen. Linda Lopez said the resolution, approved at the State Central Committee main meeting this weekend, expresses the will of a majority of New Mexico Democrats.

“We have to let our congressional delegation know what we want, what we demand, what we support,” Lopez said.