MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – More than one-third of the members of the Vermont House of Representatives are urging President Joe Biden to call for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.
A letter was signed by the lieutenant governor and a group of 64 Democratic and Progressive state representatives and senators. They say they are concerned about civilian casualties in Gaza after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking hundreds of hostages. They say the president has the power to end the conflict.
At a rally on the Statehouse steps Tuesday, they said they have a responsibility to speak out.
“We do not accept the premise that only certain voices belong in this struggle. We must not ignore the suffering of innocent civilians or the notion that we can only impact crises in our immediate sphere,” said Rep. David Templeman, D-Brownington.