I write to you today as a very concerned human being to urge you to take immediate action to save the lives of men, women, and children in Gaza. The longer these attacks go on, the further Israel and Palestine will be from lasting peace. As we have seen time and time again throughout this long-protracted conflict, violence will only lead to more violence. You represent the most powerful nation in the world. The United States is the largest donor and ally to the Israeli government we have the power to stop this unnecessary war. The millions of dollars in military aid that we give to Israel (nearly $3.1 billion for FY2012) are now being used to kill innocent civilians. The Israeli Minister of the Interior, Eli Yishai, said it best: The goal of the operation is to send Gaza back to the Middle Ages. Imagine if instead of funding such extreme violations of human rights, we instead fund our schools, hospitals and veterans? If our goal truly is peace and security in the Middle East, including in Israel, we should take all the necessary steps to end Israels 64-year-old illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories. For over six years, the nearly 1.7 million people living in Gaza have been subjected to an inhuman siege. They are unable to leave the Gaza Strip, the entry of all goods, including food and medicine is controlled, and their only crime is to have been born in that area. We are a nation that believes in and defends freedom and dignity for all people throughout the world. Today, we ask you, why are Palestinians excluded from these basic American values that we recognize and respect so ardently? Enough of the political pandering. Israel must not continue to act with impunity. Please act now to stop the killing of more innocent civilians, on both sides of the conflict. Act now to halt U.S. military aid to Israel until it complies with international and U.S. law.