Korean War Vets Demand Gaza Ceasefire: Critical of US Response

Korean War Veterans Demand Ceasefire in Gaza

Korean War veterans have joined the chorus of voices calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip amidst escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas. On November 11, 2023, these veterans, commemorating Veterans Day in the United States, are reflecting on their own service while witnessing the painful days of continued strife. Dennis Fritz, a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant and current director of the Eisenhower Media Network, expresses his hope to commemorate Memorial Day without further exacerbating the ongoing conflict.

Many veterans, including Fritz, are critical of the response from the Biden administration and Congress regarding the devastating bloodshed in Gaza. The destructive bombings carried out by Israel have resulted in over 10,000 deaths and the displacement of nearly 1.5 million refugees. President Biden has affirmed support for Israel’s right to self-defense but has also urged them to minimize civilian casualties and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

However, the ceasefire demand falls short of the expectations of some veterans who believe that sending additional weapon systems to Israel will only escalate the conflict. Ralph Ride, an Air Force veteran, raises concerns about the allocation of billions of dollars to foreign countries while homeless retired veterans struggle to receive essential medical services.

Furthermore, there are concerns among veterans about increased military involvement in the conflict, with some emphasizing that war should always be a last resort. While the United States has stated that it has no plans to directly deploy troops, some veterans caution against the hasty engagement of members of Congress who have never experienced combat.

Despite the ceasefire demand from veterans, they face resistance from lawmakers in Congress. Although Israel has agreed to a four-hour daily ceasefire to allow civilians in northern Gaza to move south, this falls short of the comprehensive ceasefire demanded by many veterans. Matthew Ho, a retired Marine Corps captain and former State Department official, regrets his involvement in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and sees parallels in the violence and occupation witnessed in Gaza. Hee, a member of a veterans’ organization for peace, believes that an immediate ceasefire and political resolution are the only viable solutions to the conflict.

The ongoing violence and war in Gaza will only lead to further retaliation, with casualties and the number of refugees continuing to rise. President Biden’s support for Israel’s self-defense and his calls for restraint and humanitarian aid have not met the demands of critical veterans. The outcome of the situation and whether a ceasefire will be achieved remains uncertain. Nonetheless, the voices of veterans demanding an end to the violence in Gaza persist despite resistance from lawmakers and the complex dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.