US congressman: Conflict is about decades of Israeli abuses

US Democratic Congressman Mark Pocan said the ongoing war on Gaza is not only caused by the recent developments in Israel and the Palestinian territories, but is due to "decades of human rights violations" by Israel.

Palestinians in Gaza live in an open-air prison under air, land & sea blockade with little access to water, food, electricity & healthcare.

Israel keeps expanding illegal West Bank settlements.

This isn't about just the last week, but about decades of human rights violations.
— Rep. Mark Pocan (@RepMarkPocan) May 16, 2021

Pocan and a several progressive Democrats have been vocal in their criticism of both Israel and the response by the Biden administration.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hinted earlier on Saturday that Israel is an apartheid state in a post on Twitter, in a statement that was backed by fellow Democrat Cori Bush.