Where 3rd District rivals Booras, Ramirez stand on Ukraine, Israel/Hamas wars
Third Congressional District challenger Republican John Booras and Democratic U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez agree foreign policy is fraught in 2024 but have splintered views on two separate crises.
Asked what the federal government is getting right and wrong regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Booras supported “helping an ally that is pitted up against a country that has a good amount of enmity toward the United States.”
But the Chicago attorney said during a Daily Herald endorsement interview he’s skeptical about corruption among Ukrainian officials and concerned about the amount of financial aid sent to the country.
“We can’t be writing blank checks. And, we absolutely have to be pushing (for) an end to the war. We have to stop the idea of war-hawking and … constantly getting involved everywhere through bombs and guns,” Booras said.
Ramirez voted for the most recent aid package to Ukraine this spring.
“Under (Russian President Vladimir) Putin we continue to see tyranny — the kind of tyranny that will create a national security threat for all, which is exactly why we have to continue to support Ukraine.”
U.S. diplomacy is important in reaching an end to the conflict, she noted. “But ending this war cannot be at the expense of losing Ukraine.”
Regarding the Israel/Hamas war, Ramirez is “really worried that we are at the cusp of a regional war,” and that every day, U.S. troops are closer to being dragged into it.
She said she was one of the first members of Congress to call for a ceasefire and it should remain “an absolute priority.” She’s also concerned that “a lack of diplomacy,” means more Israeli hostages will die. In addition, “over 40,000 Palestinians have died. Over 1.2 million people have been displaced in Gaza,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez voted against aid to Israel this spring, contending at the time that she could not support sending Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration “weapons of war.”
Booras said “I have actually visited the region and I’ve spoken to both Palestinians and I’ve spoken with Israelis. Both take this conflict extremely personally. This requires more than just a simple call for a ceasefire.
“The United States was instrumental in helping post-World War II create the state of Israel. Israel has been a very important ally to the United States in that region. We have to support the state of Israel.
“That doesn’t mean that we have to overlook anything and everything they do. Nobody wants to see the death and decimation of innocent people.
However, he said the U.S. cannot impose a solution, but instead should sit down with both sides, and “there’s no way we can do that without the removal of Hamas,” Booras said.
The 3rd District includes parts of Chicago plus Cook suburbs like Bartlett, Hanover Park, Elk Grove Village, Streamwood, Elgin, Des Plaines and Mount Prospect. It also extends into DuPage communities including Addison, Bensenville, Glendale Heights and Wheaton, among others.