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By: Melissa Garriga
Senator Tammy Duckworth is failing her constituents—specifically, the largest Palestinian-American community in the United States. As their voices cry out for a ceasefire in Gaza and an arms embargo on Israel, Senator Duckworth has remained not just silent but defiant to democracy. Despite a surge in requests from her constituents, she has consistently blocked their attempts to engage with her office, raising serious questions about her commitment to representing the people who elected her over her bought-off allegiance to Israel through pro-Israel lobby groups like AIPAC.
An article in the Chicago Reader published in February highlighted how Duckworth's office ignores constituent calls. Humaira Basith, a grassroots activist with three decades of experience, says, "I've never seen anything like this. I've never been in a situation where people said, 'I tried to call my representative, and I couldn't get through.'"
When reporter Katie Prout questioned Duckworth's office, Duckworth's office offered a tepid explanation: "Since October 7, our office has received a more than 1,300% increase in call volume, which has made it difficult at times to connect with callers live as often as we normally do."
But this response raises an important point: if a senator's stance on an issue provokes a 1300% increase in calls, shouldn't that signal a glaring disconnect between what she is doing with her power and the asks of her constituents? Despite this apparent contradiction, Duckworth continues to turn a deaf ear to the people she is supposed to serve, and that is likely because she is bought and paid for by the pro-Israel lobby.
Senator Duckworth's track record shows a troubling alignment with policies that directly contradict the will of her constituents. That likely has to do with the over $700,000 she's received from the pro-Israel lobby since she was in office. And what has that three-quarters of a million dollars bought?
She has co-sponsored the United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act, which ensures substantial U.S. funding for Israel's military. She also supported a resolution opposing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to hold Israel accountable for its actions against Palestinians.
In 2019, Duckworth voted for the Strengthening America's Middle East Security Act, which bolstered Israel's military capabilities and empowered state and local governments to divest from entities that boycott Israel. Her justification? "My experience serving my country in the military has shaped how I approach national security issues, especially regarding the U.S.-Israel alliance," she said. But what about the national security of Palestinians, especially the innocent children caught in the crossfire? Does her "national security" version mean committing international human rights violations?
Senator Duckworth knows full well that Israel is committing international law violations. A letter she delivered to the White House—authored by Dr. Adam Hamawy, a U.S. Army combat surgeon who saved her life—called on President Biden to secure the safe exit of American and international medical personnel trapped in Gaza. Hamawy, stranded inside the ongoing genocide in Gaza himself, wrote, "On May 13, in violation of international law, our team of medical professionals was denied exit by Israel." The man who saved her life is citing a violation of international law, yet despite this, Duckworth continues to support Israel and the military aid that enables these violations.
Her inconsistency is glaring. Shortly after the genocide intensified, Duckworth stated, "No child deserves to be terrorized, whether their home is on a kibbutz, in Plainfield, Illinois, or behind a blockade in Gaza." But as of today, nearly 20,000 children in Gaza have been killed—by the very weapons Senator Duckworth supports sending to Israel. Many more children are starving, orphaned, or have lost limbs. How can she reconcile these atrocities with her stated concern for the safety of children?
Duckworth is well aware of the genocide that is happening; she knows that Israel is committing war crimes. The fact that she knows all that makes Senator Duckworth's reluctance to listen to her constituents particularly disturbing. She is fully aware that Israel is violating international law. She knows that thousands of innocent children are being maimed and murdered. And yet, she continues to stand by policies that enable these horrors. Even more egregious, she ignores the overwhelming call from her constituents to demand a ceasefire and to end U.S. military aid to Israel.
Senator Duckworth's actions—or lack thereof—betray the people who put her in office. They deserve a representative who listens to their pleas for justice and peace, not one who prioritizes foreign policy alliances over the lives of innocent children. The people of Illinois are calling for a ceasefire and an arms embargo on Israel, and it's time for Senator Duckworth to listen.
FIND OUT WHO ELSE IS BOUGHT BY THE PRO-ISRAEL LOBBY AT BOUGHTBYZIONISM.ORG
Melissa Garriga is the communications and media relations manager for CODEPINK. She writes about the intersection of militarism and the human cost of war.
