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In an effort led by Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan), almost 20 Democratic lawmakers have called on the Trump administration to guarantee safe passage of the flotilla sailing to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid.

“The law is clear: any attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla or its civilians is a clear and blatant violation of international law,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “The United States has an obligation to protect its citizens from foreign attack.”

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail in August, is made up of dozens of civilian boats carrying volunteers from more than 40 countries, including the United States. The flotilla has already been attacked at least three times, “causing explosions, fire, and severe damage,” the lawmakers wrote, adding that U.S. Ambassador and Special Envoy Tom Barrack attributed two of the attacks to Israel.

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