You signed a letter on January 23rd expressing that the case filed by South Africa against Israel in the International Court of Justice is 'unfounded.' Three days later, the ICJ ruling determined that it is 'plausible' that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, impugning the fundamental basis of the incendiary and reprehensible letter to which you lent your support. Even prior to the ruling, the fact that you would denounce an attempt at fact-finding following the massacre of over 26,000 people, a vast majority of whom are civilians, is heinous and absurd. As you are aware, the death toll has continued to climb, in part fostered by your ongoing support for security appropriations to Israel.

In light of the International Court of Justice's findings, it is imperative to underscore that, as a U.S. Congressman, it is your responsibility to ensure that the United States honors its commitments under international law and does not participate in illegal international conduct. Failure to uphold international law may result in legal repercussions, sanctions, and reputational loss on the global stage when Israel and its accomplices are ultimately held to account. Under 18 U.S.C. § 1091—in compliance with the United States’ obligation under the Genocide Convention—whoever commits, incites, attempts, or conspires genocide in or outside the United States, is eligible for punishment. See War Crimes Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2441 (a)-(b).

Israel has further failed to comply with several binding Security Council resolutions including Resolution 2720, requiring that Israel allow, facilitate, and enable humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, and Resolution 2728, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the month of Ramadan.

As a legislator, you are obligated to limit assistance to any security force of a foreign country if the Secretary of State has credible information that such country commits gross violations of human rights. 22 U.S.C. § 2378d. Here, countless reports from trusted and credible authorities have demonstrated human rights violations by the Israeli military, in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Yet, the recipients of military assistance from the United States have not been held to account. Instead, legislators such as yourself continue to approve endless military aid and weaponry to Israel without hesitation, while simultaneously prohibiting the funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

Finally, as you may know, the City of Sacramento has passed a resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. This resolution represents the will of your constituents, whom you continue to defy and avoid dialogue with at every opportunity.

We would like to remind you that you were voted into the seat that you currently occupy by the constituents of California Congressional District 6, many of whom have been closely following the events unfolding in Gaza and your stance on the issue. We deserve representation that values human rights, yet your words and actions have been antithetical to such principles. We urge you to call for a ceasefire, not as an act of benevolence, but as a duty to your constituents who have unequivocally voiced their stance.