Sarah Klee Hood, left, and John Mannion, right

Sarah Klee Hood and John Mannion say they support a ceasefire that would put an end to the war in Gaza. 

The conflict has accelerated since an October attack by Hamas on Israeli soil and the ensuing military actions taken by Israel that have killed 34,900 Palestinians, according to a report from Time Magazine in May. 

Klee Hood, a DeWitt town councilor, and Mannion, a state senator, are vying to represent the Democratic party in November’s race for New York’s 22nd Congressional District. The winner of the primary — which concludes June 25, election day  — will face Rep. Brandon Williams. 

The candidates said they would like to see Israeli hostages taken by Hamas freed as part of negotiations for a bilateral ceasefire. They would also like to see a two-state solution eventually be devised. Klee Hood and Mannion see the U.S. as playing an important role in those negotiations as part of America’s role as a world powerhegemon.

The U.S., they noted, should also continue to distribute humanitarian aid to Gaza. 

Sarah Klee Hood

Central Current: Do you support a ceasefire in Gaza? A permanent ceasefire? Why/why not?

Sarah Klee Hood: Like many folks, I was absolutely horrified by the attacks of Oct. 7, and at this point, I would love to see a bilateral ceasefire so that the hostages may be returned home and we can have an end to the civilian death toll. Until we are able to get to a position where we are able to look for a two-state solution, we need to ensure that both sides of the table are willing to meet and move forward, because until there is peace, we’re never going to see the end of the war. I believe the U.S. as a global leader has an opportunity as an ally to broker that offering until both sides of the table are willing to come together.

CC: What action do you believe the federal government should take as it relates to Israel and its actions in Gaza?

Klee Hood: Israel is our ally and they need support. But let’s be clear, I am a diplomacy-first candidate, having lost troops to war. There need to be diplomatic efforts. In addition to humanitarian aid, we have a responsibility as a global leader to ensure that both our allies and those caught in the strife of war have the facilities that they need to begin rebuilding once a bilateral ceasefire has been reached.

John Mannion

Central Current: Do you support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza? Why or why not?

John Mannion: We all want peace. We have [Israeli] hostages that are still being held, they need to be released. What the United States has done is they have come in and pushed through the United Nations — maybe we wanted it to happen more quickly — a resolution so that we can achieve true and lasting peace. That true and lasting peace not just comes with a bilateral ceasefire, it comes with actual action that is going to take partnerships beyond the two parties. It’s going to take the United States as a world power, and others, to broker an agreement to move us towards a two state solution.”

CC: Would you say that your support for a permanent ceasefire would hinge on the release of the hostages? Is that accurate?

Mannion: I believe that’s being negotiated right now. Some people will take this down to just that word. Of course we want any violence to stop. But it’s not that simple. I mean, there are still missiles being launched in Israel. So we need both parties’ bilateral actions to stop.

CC: Is there any other action that you believe the federal government should take as it relates to Israel and its actions in Gaza?

Mannion: We have to continue to provide humanitarian aid. We have to make sure that humanitarian aid reaches the people that need the support.

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Eddie Velazquez is a Syracuse journalist covering economic justice in the region. He is focused on stories about organized labor, and New York's housing and childhood lead poisoning crises. You can follow...

Anais Mejia is a freelance journalist covering economic justice in the region. She is focused on stories about housing in Syracuse, Interstate 81 and the redevelopment of public housing. Anais is currently...