A group of House Democrats, led by Rep. Joaquin Castro, have urged President Biden to consider cutting off military assistance to Israel over accusations that it is restricting aid to Gaza, which Israel denies. The lawmakers called the situation in Gaza a “humanitarian catastrophe” and argued that Israel is violating U.S. law that prohibits foreign aid to countries that prevent the U.S. from providing humanitarian aid elsewhere. They specifically mentioned the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, which prohibits U.S. foreign aid from going to countries that restrict or block U.S. humanitarian aid.
The Democrats accused the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of placing burdens on the oversight of aid, limiting entry points for aid delivery, and preventing food, medicine, and other supplies from entering Gaza. They urged President Biden to enforce the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act and make it clear to Israel that continued U.S. security assistance would constitute a violation of existing U.S. law if restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza continue. The Democrats emphasized the importance of taking action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and protect innocent Palestinians caught in the conflict.
The letter from the House Democrats highlights the division within the Democratic Party on the issue of U.S. support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas. Progressives have criticized President Biden for not doing enough to curb Israel’s retaliation, while more moderate Democrats have stood by Israel. The United Nations agency UNRWA reported that Israel is no longer allowing its food convoys in northern Gaza, further exacerbating the humanitarian situation in the region. UNRWA itself has faced allegations of involvement in a Hamas attack in southern Israel in October.
Arguments over the U.S. role in the Israel-Hamas conflict have created tensions within the Democratic Party, with different factions advocating for different approaches. The Democrats who wrote the letter to President Biden emphasized the need for U.S. support for Israel to be conditional on respect for humanitarian principles and international law. They called for concrete actions to demonstrate to Prime Minister Netanyahu that U.S. support has limits and does not include enabling conditions that could lead to a humanitarian crisis, such as famine, in Gaza. The Democrats urged President Biden to act decisively to address the situation in Gaza and protect innocent civilians caught in the conflict.
The letter to President Biden from the House Democrats reflects growing concerns within the party about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for the U.S. to hold its allies accountable for their actions. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has strained relations within the Democratic Party, with differing views on the appropriate U.S. response. The Democrats who signed the letter called for a clear and firm stance on humanitarian issues and emphasized the importance of upholding U.S. laws and values in providing foreign assistance. The Biden administration has faced pressure from various factions within the party to reassess its support for Israel in light of the situation in Gaza.
