RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) has responded to a letter delivered to his office by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) students regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict and the recent pro-Palestinian protest on campus. In a May 9 press release, Kaine said he was not in Richmond on the day that these students attempted to deliver the letter to him. However, he said his staff accepted the letter and passed it onto him. What did the letter say? In the letter, shared by Kaine's office in the release, the students wrote that at least 34,000 Palestinians have died and about 77,000 have been wounded in this conflict. "And yet, on April 30, in the midst of this carnage, both you and Senator Warner voted to send another $26 billion to Israel," the letter reads. "No expressions of concern over the suffering of the Palestinian people can cover this hypocritical act." The students go on to say in the letter that the public comments made by both Kaine and Warner following police breaking up a pro-Palestinian protest outside of VCU's James Cabell Library on April 29 "have given a political cover to these attacks on free speech and the right of assembly." PREVIOUS: 13, including 6 students, arrested at Virginia Commonwealth University after pro-Palestinian protesters and police clash The letter ends with a list of demands issued by the students: "Publicly call on VCU President Michael Rao to meet with representatives of the student protesters, prioritizing Palestinian and Muslim voices, to honestly and seriously discuss their demands." "Publicly denounce the April 29 police attack on the VCU student protesters." "Publicly support the students' demand that VCU disclose all of its financial and academic ties to the Israeli government, as well as Israeli companies and educational institutions." "Publicly call on VCU to divest from all Israeli companies and all U.S. companies with contracts with Israel and end all ties and ongoing programs with the Israeli government and educational institutions." "Publicly call on VCU, UVA, Virginia Tech, George Mason and any other Virginia college or university to drop all charges against encampment protesters and immediately return the property that police confiscated from the encampments." "And Senator Kaine, we urge you to finally find the courage to stand up in the U.S. Senate and demand 'No More U.S. Aid to Israel!'" The full letter can be read below. an_open_letter_to_senator_kaineDownload What did Kaine say in response? In a statement responding to the letter, Kaine said he has been in "constant dialogue with Virginians about the Israel-Hamas conflict." He went on to say that he felt both Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the ongoing violence in Gaza were both matters of concern. "Israel has a right and responsibility to defend itself from Hamas and from Iran — which launched a direct attack on Israel last month—and others that share a stated goal of destroying Israel," Kaine said. "But Palestinians who had nothing to do with the October 7 attack should not be caught in the crossfire. They have a right to receive crucial humanitarian aid and to live in safety and dignity." He added that "this crisis has spiraled out of control," saying hostages need to be released, a ceasefire needs to be established and additional aid needs to be delivered to civilians in Gaza. Kaine also said he believes Israel's defensive needs should be prioritized, instead of weapons that "could further escalate the conflict or harm civilians." "I’m encouraged that the Administration has recently paused certain offensive weapons transfers, and I expect the Administration to soon deliver to Congress a report, requested by my colleagues and me, that includes an assessment of whether Israel has used U.S.-funded weapons in compliance with international law and whether Israel has fully supported the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza," Kaine said. "I will review that report closely." Regarding the student protest at VCU, Kaine shared similar comments to those he made in the days after it occurred. PREVIOUS: What Virginia’s elected officials, candidates and others are saying about pro-Palestinian campus protests "Ultimately, decisions regarding college and university leadership and policy should be made by school administrators, boards, students, and parents—not by Congress," Kaine said. "Absent extreme circumstances, campus security departments are well suited to handle campus protests." Kaine ended his letter by saying his focus is on deescalating this crisis. "We must seek a path toward what was promised to Israelis and Palestinians 75 years ago: two states living peacefully as neighbors," Kaine said. Kaine's letter in its entirety can be found below: “Earlier this week, a group concerned by the Israel-Hamas conflict came to my office in downtown Richmond. I was not in Richmond that day, but my staff were glad to meet the group, collect a letter from them, and promptly share it with me. I have carefully reviewed it and always appreciate hearing from Virginians. “I have been in constant dialogue with Virginians about the Israel-Hamas conflict. Hamas’ horrific attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killed approximately 1,200 people—the majority of whom were civilians. Israel has a right and responsibility to defend itself from Hamas and from Iran—which launched a direct attack on Israel last month—and others that share a stated goal of destroying Israel. But Palestinians who had nothing to do with the October 7 attack should not be caught in the crossfire. They have a right to receive crucial humanitarian aid and to live in safety and dignity. “This crisis has spiraled out of control, putting civilians, U.S. servicemembers, and aid workers throughout the region at serious risk. I will continue to call for a deal to release the hostages held by Hamas, establish a ceasefire, and deliver more humanitarian aid into Gaza, as I have done publicly and repeatedly for some time. These steps are the only viable means to reach a sustainable resolution to this crisis. I will also continue to urge the Biden Administration to prioritize Israel’s defensive needs—such as restocking the Iron Dome and David’s Sling air defense systems—rather than weapons that could further escalate the conflict or harm civilians. I’m encouraged that the Administration has recently paused certain offensive weapons transfers, and I expect the Administration to soon deliver to Congress a report, requested by my colleagues and me, that includes an assessment of whether Israel has used U.S.-funded weapons in compliance with international law and whether Israel has fully supported the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. I will review that report closely. “Lastly, I have been monitoring student protests across Virginia regarding this issue. People have the right under the First Amendment to express their beliefs on issues that matter to them, and they should do so in ways that follow university policies and local and federal laws designed to keep our communities safe. Ultimately, decisions regarding college and university leadership and policy should be made by school administrators, boards, students, and parents—not by Congress. Absent extreme circumstances, campus security departments are well suited to handle campus protests. “I remain focused on encouraging my Senate colleagues and the Biden Administration to get the policies right so we can deescalate this crisis. We must seek a path toward what was promised to Israelis and Palestinians 75 years ago: two states living peacefully as neighbors.” Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) For all of 8News' coverage on the April 29 protest and what has come after, click here.