Dr. Ziad J. Asali on Capitol Hill: The U.S. Must Help Rebuild Gaza Now

Dr. Ziad Asali, the President of the American Task Force on Palestine testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia today, on the effects of the Gaza War.

His testimony discussed ways to provide humanitarian relief and rebuild Gaza without strengthening Hamas:

After an estimated one thousand four hundred deaths and five thousand four hundred injuries, 80% of surviving Gazans now depend on food aid, and fifty one thousand need shelter. Their suffering must immediately stop.

Gaza lies in ruins, but Hamas still controls Gaza, and the responsible policies of the PA and other US Arab allies have been undermined.

Dr. Asali also testified on and the methods to open Gaza's borders, establish a viable cease-fire, and advance the peace process:

Unless progress is made on advancing Palestinian statehood and quality of life through negotiations, and unless the PA and Fatah implement serious and genuine reform, the PA will continue to weaken. Without progress, anything rebuilt will be destroyed. Our own actions can either foster hope or feed hate.

US assistance must be intensified to help the PA further develop the new professional security system, which has proven its effectiveness under difficult circumstances; develop the fledgling economy unimpeded by unreasonable restrictions; and pursue good governance reform, transparency and the rule of law.

A devastated Gaza, a stagnant West Bank, and a moribund peace process would benefit extremism. The losers will then be the Palestinians, Israel, the cause of peace, and, most importantly, our own national interest.

Keep Reading: The full text of Dr. Asali's oral testimony, the full text of Dr. Asali's written testimony

Also testifying were David Makovsky, Michelle Dunne, and Danielle Pletka