Senate Democrats on Tuesday expressed concern about the state of war between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and President Biden announced his support for U.S. allies and the progressives, Arabs and Muslims who have made clear their displeasure among them. It seeks to balance that with addressing the concerns of religious voters. conflict.
“I don’t support a ceasefire, and I’ve been very clear about that,” Sen. John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, told Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
Biden addressed the need for aid to the war zone during a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week following an Israeli airstrike that killed seven workers delivering food and aid in the Gaza Strip. They called for an immediate cease-fire.
Biden’s move to support a ceasefire comes as pro-Palestinian protests have disrupted his campaign in recent months.
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Democratic senators have made clear their concerns about Israel’s war. (Getty Images)
“There are far too many civilian deaths right now,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, said of the situation in Gaza. However, he assessed that Biden was increasing pressure on Israel, citing “an increase in humanitarian aid supplies in recent days.”
Criticism of Biden’s support for ally Israel has grown in recent days amid reports of anger and frustration over the killing of several aid workers in the Gaza Strip. Last month, the United States allowed the passage of a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire, overcoming a series of vetoes against similar measures.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move, saying at the time: “Today the United States abandoned its policy at the United Nations. Just a few days ago, it supported a Security Council resolution linking a call for a ceasefire to the release of hostages.”
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The Prime Minister blamed the passing of the resolution for canceling the Israeli delegation’s visit to Washington, DC.
Vice President Kamala Harris met with families of American hostages held in Gaza on Tuesday, just two weeks after the Biden administration authorized the passage of a United Nations resolution. Harris briefed his family on U.S. efforts to bring all the hostages home and that an immediate ceasefire had been agreed, according to a transcript of the meeting from Harris’ office.
Prime Minister Netanyahu cancels delegation’s trip to Washington DC (Abil Sultan/Pool photo via AP, file)
White House officials shared that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of more hostages, noting that passed United Nations resolutions call for the release of additional hostages. However, the resolution did not include any condemnation of Hamas, leading to increased criticism of the Biden administration.
At Tuesday’s Senate Republican luncheon, Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) listed “27 times Biden and the Democrats have abandoned Israel” since the first Oct. 7 Hamas attack. I circulated the document to my colleagues.
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The document, obtained exclusively by Fox News Digital, also shows how the Biden administration last year urged Israel to halt ground operations in Gaza and how in November Senate Democrats announced a standalone plan to support Israel without tying aid to aid. It lists events such as voting against a bill. For Ukraine.
“President Biden is calling for an unconditional ceasefire, which is extremely harmful, while Congressional Democrats are equating Prime Minister Netanyahu with Hamas. It undermines Israel’s mission,” Barrasso said in an exclusive on FOX News Digital. statement.
“It’s a difficult situation,” Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said when asked how Biden was addressing aid to Israel while also addressing concerns about Palestinian civilians. said.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, avoided criticizing Biden for his handling of the Israel-Hamas war, instead telling Fox News Digital, “I’ve caused a humanitarian disaster and I’m doing everything possible every day.” The Netanyahu government is responsible for what they did.” To make it even worse. ”
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Warren accused Netanyahu of exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Fetterman noted his disagreements with Biden on the ceasefire, but said, “Overall, I think the president continues to stand with Israel.”
“But we need to allow Israel to strike the final blow and go after Hamas.”
While Democrats were reluctant to directly address Biden’s policy toward Israel, Senate Republicans actively accused the president of making war decisions based on “political calculations,” said Sen. J.D. Vance. (Republican, Ohio) argued.
“I think the real purpose of this is, frankly, to appease the increasingly vocal pro-Hamas wing of the party,” said Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri. “So they must think they have a lot of votes they need to vote for them.”
Mr. Vance said Mr. Biden’s stance on war now is “totally inconsistent” with his position “two months ago.”
“And they’re doing things like this because they’re worried about losing certain populations in Michigan,” Vance argued, possibly including many Arab and Muslim populations in Michigan. mentioned the population of
Pro-Palestinian protests are targeting the Biden campaign. (Barry Williams, NY Daily News, via Getty Images)
Since the start of the war in Gaza, Biden’s 2024 re-election campaign has faced obstacles among his Muslim supporters, who say they intend to turn their backs on him.
His campaign was also rebuffed by efforts by Islamic leaders who repeatedly refused to meet with the president’s team on campaign or official business occasions.
The Biden campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) slammed Biden’s response to the Israeli attack that killed seven aid workers, claiming it was held to a “different standard.”
“Why can’t they tell us who was responsible for the 13 fighters killed at Kabul airport?” he asked, referring to the death.
Fetterman made a similar point, explaining, “So, in times of war, terrible, terrible things often happen. We really have to remember that this is all Hamas’ fault.” The senator was referring to a 2021 U.S. drone strike that accidentally killed a number of Afghan civilians in a car.
