Our future history books will be shamefully clear about what so many people are still too afraid or corrupted to admit: that Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza, enforcing a racial apartheid system against Palestinians, and violently occupying and colonizing Palestinian land. 

Intrinsic to the role of an elected leader is to call out injustice, whenever and wherever we see it – not to placate donors or win over bad-faith actors. 

That's why, in my capacity as a Medford leader and in my candidacy for State Representative, it is my responsibility to denounce the genocidal actions of the State of Israel. But as a human being with children of my own – children no different than the children of Gaza whom the IDF has been accused of deliberately targeting – this is also simply my moral obligation. 

I'm deeply proud of the many community members and groups in Somerville and Medford who are ensuring that we meet this bitter moment with solidarity and with the values that truly reflect our communities. I unapologetically support divestment from nations and entities, including Israel, that are known to abuse human rights and commit war crimes. 

This isn't about religion. This is about human rights and human dignity. We must call out antisemitism wherever and whenever we see it. We must be equally, brutally honest about the ways in which Islamophobia has become intertwined with American culture. Until then, we can never call ourselves truly welcoming and safe communities – not for all. 

I stand with the people of Palestine. I stand with Palestinian-American members of our Somerville and Medford communities. I stand with Jewish members of our Somerville and Medford communities. As your State Representative, I will add to and amplify the calls for an end to the genocide in Gaza. I will insist that the State of Massachusetts stand on the right side of history. I will continue to insist that any of us will only find true safety and flourishing when all of us do.