Jayapal says Harris calling for 6-week cease-fire ‘important,’ calls to ‘back it up with policy shift’

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) on Sunday praised Vice President Kamala Harris for pushing for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, but urged the Biden administration to follow through on those words amid mounting pressure from Democrats. I asked.

“The vice president called for an immediate ceasefire and urgent aid to Gaza,” Jayapal said. I wrote to X, formerly Twitter. “This is the first time the administration has used this word. It’s important. Now let’s back it up with a policy change.”

“Given the immensity of the suffering in Gaza, an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks is necessary, and that is currently on the table,” Harris said in a speech in Selma, Alabama, on Sunday. “There is,” he said.

Harris also criticized the Israeli government, condemning the “humanitarian catastrophe” in the Gaza Strip and calling on the country to accelerate the delivery of aid to Palestinian civilians.

The vice president’s comments were some of the Biden administration’s most decisive criticisms of the Israeli government as the White House ramps up pressure on the country over civilian deaths.

Jayapal, chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, is a key figure in lobbying the Biden administration to support a permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Biden has refused to call for a permanent ceasefire, but has redoubled efforts for a short-term ceasefire as negotiations become tense.

The Israeli government on Saturday agreed to the framework for a proposed six-week ceasefire, a sign of progress in negotiations, the Associated Press reported.

President Biden announced Friday that the United States will airlift humanitarian aid to Gaza as negotiations continue over a temporary ceasefire. Biden on Friday stepped up his criticism of Israel over the amount of aid it is allowed to give to the region.

“Innocent people have been caught up in a terrible war, unable to provide for their families. We see the reaction when they try to ask for help. And we need to do more. The United States will take further action,” Biden said.

“The truth is that the aid that is flowing to Gaza right now is not enough anywhere. It is not enough anywhere. Innocent lives are at stake, the lives of children are at stake,” he added.

The airdrop began early Saturday morning. Harris praised the delivery of aid and noted that the United States would work to establish a sea route for aid to enter Gaza.

“The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase aid flows,” she said on Sunday. “No excuses.”