When it comes to the Israeli-Palestinians issue there is little that divides most members of Congress. Instead of a spirited debate on, say, Israeli illegal settlement expansion on occupied land, the overwhelming majority of Congressional members simply prefer to play a game of oneupmanship when it comes to expressing support for Israel. Few rarely ever challenge the unqualified pro-Israel orthodoxy.

But recently two very courageous members of Congress did. Both Democrats, Congressman Brian Baird of Washington and Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota recently visited Gaza spoke in frankness about the horror that Israel has inflicted on innocent Palestinians. Destruction so widespread that over 1,300 Palestinians, including over 400 children, were killed in a few weeks. As the congressmen said, “If this had happened in our own country, there would be national outrage and an appeal for urgent assistance.”

And not alone that. Most members of Congress speak eloquently about the Israeli people, but never express and concern let alone identification with the Palestinian people. Obama has on more than one occasion spoken about his identification with Israeli society, but has never held up Palestinians as equal human beings worthy of compassion. But Congressmen Baird and Ellison did. They humanized Palestinians in a manner that is seldom done in American in any context.

“The stories about the children affected me the most,” said Ellison. “No parent, or anyone who cares for kids, can remain unmoved by what Brian and I saw here.”

“The amount of physical destruction and the depth of human suffering here is staggering” said Baird, “Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed, schools completely leveled, fundamental water, sewer, and electricity facilities hit and relief agencies heavily damaged. The personal stories of children being killed in their homes or schools, entire families wiped out, and relief workers prevented from evacuating the wounded are heart wrenching – what went on here, and what is continuing to go on, is shocking and troubling beyond words.”

These two men know full well what the Israel lobby attempts to do to anyone who criticizes Israel. That is what makes then courageous. They will no doubt be attacked, probably have an opponent funded by pro-Israel PACs, and maybe even accused of sympathy with terrorism. But I hope that their words and visit to Gaza will inspire other politicians to follow their righteous lead.