One of the most meaningful experiences of my life was meeting Shimon Peres in Israel. Sitting with a man who had seen every phase of his country’s history—from its creation to its greatest conflicts—and still chose to believe in peace left a profound mark on me. He spoke not only about security and survival, but about imagination, courage, and the moral responsibility to see the humanity of the other side. His lifelong insistence that Israel’s future depended on peace, partnership, and shared prosperity is a big part of why I believe what I believe today.

My Israel policy begins from that place. I want to help fulfill the vision that Shimon Peres spent his entire life advocating for: an Israel that is safe and secure, a Palestine that is free and self-determining, and a region where coexistence is not a slogan but a daily reality. Everything that follows—my support for people-to-people programs, for elevating women as leaders in peacebuilding, and for redirecting resources away from endless war and toward human dignity—is my way of carrying forward that legacy into the 21st century.

Replacing Endless War with Human-Centered Investment

I believe the United States should invest less in bombs and more in people. Lasting security does not come from ever-expanding stockpiles of weapons; it comes from strong communities, quality education, economic opportunity, and a deep respect for human dignity—especially for women and children who bear the brunt of conflict. Our foreign policy should reflect that truth.

As a member of Congress, I would oppose and work to eliminate any direct U.S. military aid to Israel that is used to harm Palestinian civilians or entrench occupation. American taxpayer dollars should never bankroll the collective punishment of an entire population or the erosion of basic human rights. Instead, I would fight to reallocate those funds toward people and institutions committed to peace:

• Grassroots organizations that bring Israelis and Palestinians together to build trust and shared projects

• Educational institutions and exchange programs that foster mutual understanding and critical thinking

• Women-led organizations and community leaders, who are too often excluded from decision-making but are essential to breaking cycles of violence

Any aid we provide must be tightly conditioned, transparent, and aligned with international law and basic human rights. My goal is simple: redirect our resources away from fueling conflict and toward empowering individuals, communities, and especially women who are ready to lead the way toward a just and lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Confronting Hamas and Elevating Peace-Loving Palestinian Leadership

I believe Hamas is a death cult—one of the most dangerous ideological forces within the broader Muslim and Palestinian communities. Its strategy depends on perpetual violence, the sacrifice of civilians, and the destruction of any hope for genuine coexistence. There can be no just and lasting peace while Hamas maintains power or while its hateful, extremist ideology continues to shape life in Gaza and beyond.

As a member of Congress, I will support policies that both protect Israeli and Palestinian civilians and work to consign Hamas’s ideology to the dustbin of history. That means:

• Working to cut off every last dollar, weapon, and logistical channel that sustains Hamas and similar extremist groups.

• Supporting efforts to disarm and dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities consistent with international law and the protection of civilians.

• Elevating moderate, peace-seeking Palestinian leaders—in civil society, government, education, and especially women-led organizations—so they can build legitimate, accountable institutions in Gaza, the West Bank, and across the Palestinian diaspora.

My goal is not endless war; it is to break the cycle of extremism by isolating and defeating Hamas’s ideology while empowering Palestinians who are ready to build democratic, rights-respecting leadership and live side by side with Israelis in safety, dignity, and peace.

People-to-People Peace, Led by Women

One of the most powerful ways to achieve peace is to create real space for dialogue. For too long, too little has been done by the United States, Israel, or Palestinian leaders to bring everyday Israelis and Palestinians together—to talk, to debate, and yes, even to argue face to face. When people meet in person, they see each other as human beings, not enemies. Today, too many Israelis and Palestinians have lost sight of each other’s humanity, and the only way to repair that is to invest in events, programs, and institutions that continually bring them into the same room.

I believe women must be at the center of this effort. The Israeli–Palestinian conflict has been dominated by men fighting men, too often driven by ego rather than a genuine desire to end the conflict. As a member of Congress, I will work to elevate women leaders in both Israeli and Palestinian communities and support people-to-people initiatives that make dialogue, cooperation, and shared problem-solving a permanent part of the peace process—not an afterthought.