On July 28th 2020, a congressional office in Grand Rapids, Michigan was vandalized with graffiti reading “Stop bombing Gaza”. The vandalism was reportedly done sometime between July 24th and July 27th, and the message was challenging the Congressman for his stance on the ongoing violence in Gaza.
The Congressman whose office was vandalized, Justin Amash, is a vocal proponent of Palestinian rights and a supporter of Palestinian statehood. In a statement released shortly after the vandalism occurred, Amash condemned the act and defended his commitment to peace in the Middle East:
“I strongly condemn the attack on our office. This irresponsible act of vandalism endangers the safety of my staff and intimidates all of us who are committed to peace in the Middle East.”
Despite the vandalism, Amash remains committed to working towards a peaceful resolution in the region. In a formal statement, he discussed his belief that dialogue and diplomacy are the only path towards a lasting peace:
“My views on the conflict in the Middle East have not changed. I still believe that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way forward. Together we must strive to find a lasting and just solution.”
The assailant has yet to be identified.
