Letter from a Member to Sen Tom Cotton
Questionable support
Very recently, in response to a letter I sent him, I received this response from Sen. Tom Cotton.
In part he said: “I must reject in the strongest possible terms any baseless allegation — a calumny, really — against Israel for committing ‘genocide’ inside Gaza. I must also reject in equally strong terms the lie that Israel has deliberately caused a ‘famine’ inside Gaza.”
Over 72,000 Gazans have been killed since the Hamas attack in 2023, over 172,000 injured, not counting those still under the rubble. Based on reports as of early 2026, this number includes an estimated 17,000 to over 20,000 children. In September 2025, the UN Commission of Inquiry report accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. These countries back the International Court of Justice case: Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, Namibia, Pakistan, Libya, Egypt, Ireland, Spain, Belgium, Turkey, Malaysia, Maldives.
Further, from the BBC: A million people — a quarter of Palestinians in Gaza — are suffering from famine; this situation is “entirely man-made,” with aid oganizations today accusing Israel of the “systematic obstruction” of food entering the Gaza Strip.
Perhaps Senator Cotton’s opinions are influenced by his significant campaign support from pro-Israel groups, roughly $250,000 from pro-Israel interests and past reports of nearly $1 million from the Emergency Committee for Israel.
This, plus his continual support for likely illegal policies of the president that threaten national security, and his no vote for Arkansas farmers, hungry children, workers and environment indicate he is unable to perform as our senator with any interests at heart except his own and his billionaire campaign contributors.
Vote for Hallie Shoffner.
(This answer is based on reports from 2014–2026, including sources such as Mondoweiss, The Nation, and Cato Institute.)
SHELLEY BUONAIUTO
Fayetteville