RAMALLAH Feb 21 (JMCC) US Congressman Brian Baird has become something of an anomaly. In a political body that is overwhelmingly in support of Israel, he has spent more time in the Gaza Strip than any of his colleagues. Rep. Baird recently returned from his third trip to the territory and said more of his fellow congressmen need to do the same.

If all that happens is that you come to this region and you are led around by the hand to see the things that someone wants you to see, hear the stories that someone wants you to hear, you will not get the full impression of what's actually going on, he said to CNN. ... If you can't see these things yourself, you're left with the official version of events.

Rep. Baird is even calling on the United States government to take action by airlifting aid to the devastated territory, similar to the Berlin Airlift during the Cold War. His idea has not met full support in Washington, particularly from Jewish groups. Baird has rejected criticism, saying action by the US to help end the siege on Gaza would be in everyone's interests, including Israel.

Read the full article on Brian Baird at CNN.com