On the Issues

A Pathway to Peace in the Middle East

The death and destruction in Israel and the Gaza Strip since the Oct. 7th, 2023 terrorist attacks has been devastating. I believe in the humanity of all Israeli and Palestinian people. We all must be able to recognize the trauma suffered by Israelis in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attack, as well as Palestinian suffering in the conflict since then.

I believe that long-term peace in the region is only achievable through a two-state solution, where both the Palestinian and Israeli people have the right to self-determination through democratic means. America’s role must be to empower sensible leaders on both sides of this conflict who put the safety and prosperity of their people above shorter-term political and ideological interests.

While we all want the fighting to end, the goal must be peace in perpetuity. That means an end to the recent conflict and the terrorism that ignited it. Like President Biden, I believe America must do everything in its power to deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, and that Israel must do all in its power to limit civilian casualties.

I also believe that future progress requires:

  • Israeli hostages taken during the October 7th attack must be returned to Israel.
  • Hamas, a terrorist organization, can no longer be responsible for civil control of the Gaza Strip. Hamas’s fundamentalist ideology is incompatible with Gaza’s need for a stable civilian government.
  • Israel should curtail the spread of settlements and empower a government that sees political opportunity in peace instead of conflict.
  • The United States, NATO, and Arab regional powers must take an active role in helping to maintain peace and build a more prosperous future for the Palestinian people. The lack of opportunity for so many young Palestinians prevents them from seeing the prospect of a brighter future. This only benefits organizations like Hamas
  • A two-state solution, where there is bilateral recognition of each sovereignty and clear and agreed-upon borders.
Up Next
Advancing Healthcare as a Human Right
[email protected]
PO Box 50024 Minneapolis, MN 55405

Contributions or gifts to Neighbors for Samuels are not tax deductible. Contributions from corporations, labor organization treasury funds, federal government contractors, and from any person contributing another person's funds are prohibited. Only U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents (“green card holders” residing in the U.S.) are eligible to contribute. An individual can contribute as much as $6,600 to Neighbors for Samuels ($3,300 for the primary election, and $3,300 for the general election). Married couples may together give a total of $13,200. Federal multi-candidate political action committees (PACs) can contribute as much as $10,000 ($5,000 for the primary election, and $5,000 for the general election). Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in an election cycle.