Ben Taylor Campaign Statement: Lebanon
OFFICIAL STATEMENT – September 19th, 2024
On September 17th and September 18th, the Israeli occupation carried out multiple terror attacks against Lebanon that killed at least 37 people, including children, and injured thousands. These attacks were conducted by detonating electronic pager devices. The IOF has since begun a heavy bombing campaign throughout Lebanon.
These attacks follow the expansion of the occupation’s genocide against Palestinians into the West Bank earlier this month. Meanwhile, the horrific genocide in Gaza nears its one-year anniversary. But the historic conditions in Palestine, including the IOF’s previous ethnic cleansing and genocide operations, must not be forgotten.
I condemn these brutal attacks in the strongest possible sense, and I once again reaffirm my commitment to an immediate ceasefire and arms embargo. Countless violations of international law are being supported and funded by our tax dollars. The people of New Jersey, the United States, and the world have raised their voices for decades- but in particular, over the last 11 months, we have organized and engaged in countless efforts to elevate our voices for Palestine.
Our cries to the Biden-Harris administration have fallen on deaf ears. Our demands brought before this state’s elected representatives have been met with silence. Even the state legislature has refused to listen, choosing to instead work on mask bans to arrest protestors and IHRA laws to silence opposition.
For many of us, the genocide is all we’re able to think about. And as Congress continues to send weapons to the Israeli regime, we are reminded of the Pentagon’s gargantuan budget. Our representatives believe that spending over $800 billion on war is justified. Meanwhile, we ask ourselves why this country cannot provide our communities with public housing, free education, or universal healthcare.
With the General election rapidly approaching, we are filled with a sense of dread rather than a sense of hope. We fear not only for our Palestinian, Lebanese, and Yemeni brothers and sisters, but also for our own safety and wellbeing. We fear the inevitable mental health outcomes that will do great harm to our communities for generations.
Now is the time to elect leaders who will stand against this genocidal regime. Let’s work together to send a representative to Washington who will offer actions rather than words. Spread the word about our historic campaign, and make a plan to vote for peace, health, and housing this November. New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District deserves to be represented by a public servant, not a sold-out politician.
UPDATE: September 23rd, 2024
The aftermath of the occupation’s terror attack against the people of Lebanon has manifested as heavy, indiscriminate bombings. The IOF has murdered over 356 Lebanese, with thousands more casualties and injuries. Dozens of children have been murdered. The Biden-Harris administration has offered its full support for these escalations. Once again, the General election is on the horizon, and it appears that this expanded war will alter the results of the election.
I believe that these provocations amount to a classic example of an October surprise. With the administration now abandoning ceasefire negotiations, Democrats appear to be playing politics with Lebanese & Palestinian lives. Meanwhile, discussions of ethnic cleansing remain at the forefront of the occupation’s rhetoric. Make no mistake about it: the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank is already the largest international crisis of the modern era. But with an expanded genocide targeting Lebanon, the crisis will continue to balloon out of control. Indeed just 10 hours ago the US has announced deploying additional US troops to the Middle East region in response to the Israel carnage being caused upon the Lebanese civilian population.
I will continue to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and arms embargo against the zionist occupation. This is the bare minimum requirement for any public servant seeking an elected position. But beyond that, we must continue to take the fight directly to the U.S. war machine, and expose its role in these genocidal acts. This is not normal, and it should never be considered normal. It is our duty to demand an end to U.S. imperialism globally.
Our New Jersey 9th District Congressional campaign aligns with the demands of the American Muslim 2024 Election Taskforce, urging voters to reject the two genocidal parties (Democratic and Republican) and embrace a just vision for the U.S. The national Green Party US platform, along with Jill Stein & Butch Ware’s presidential campaign, clearly asserts its commitment to this cause. Our movement cannot be stopped.
Benjamin Taylor
Candidate for New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District
