Dozens of Democrats followed President Biden’s lead and opposed continued aid to Israel after a White House call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Since Mr. Biden’s conversation last week and the IDF attack that killed seven World Central Kitchen staffers, most recently former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., there is a growing sense among Democrats that the U.S. has no interest in Israel. There are growing calls to halt arms shipments. Party leaders must sign a letter asking the president to halt the shipment.
“In light of this incident, we are reconsidering our recent decision to approve the transfer of new arms packages to Israel and suspending this and future transfers of offensive weapons until a full investigation into the airstrike is completed. We strongly urge you to do so.” Letter from 37 House Democrats.
The insurrection against Israel is not limited to the House, with several Democratic Senate leaders expressing similar concerns in recent days.
Biden warns Prime Minister Netanyahu that he will change Gaza policy unless Israel protects civilians
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, President Biden, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer
On March 14, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Israel to hold new elections to oust Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying that during Israel’s months-long siege of Gaza, I was lost,” he said.
“Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah,” Schumer said, according to a report by the Associated Press.
The call comes after Biden warned Netanyahu in a phone call last week that U.S. policy toward Gaza could change if Israel did not do more to protect civilians in Gaza. It was done at the same time. “Humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” the opponent said.
Biden’s message was echoed by other members of his administration, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken warning that the United States would shift gears “if we don’t see the change we need to see” and White House national security spokesman John Mr Kirby called out: Such changes occur within “hours or days.”
“The president has made his concerns clear and the prime minister has acknowledged those concerns,” Kirby said.
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Biden also called for an “immediate ceasefire,” which is “critical to stabilizing and improving the humanitarian situation and protecting innocent civilians,” according to a White House statement. told Prime Minister Netanyahu.
president biden (AP Photo/Evan Vucci/File)
But Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vermont) said in an interview with NBC News last week that changes in Israel’s behavior in the conflict aren’t happening fast enough, saying the attack on the aid convoy “does nothing. “It’s a sign of what’s not happening.” “Revised Netanyahu War Plan” and has caused “concern among a growing number of colleagues.”
One such colleague is Sen. Chris Coons, Democrat of Delaware, NBC News reports. Coons, a longtime Biden ally and traditionally a staunch supporter of Israel, said he supports putting conditions on weapons shipments to Israel unless civilians in the Gaza Strip are better protected. insisted.
“If Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were to order a massive IDF invasion of Rafah without providing any civilian or humanitarian aid, I would vote to condition aid to Israel.” Coons said in an interview with CNN on Thursday. “I’ve never said that, and I’ve never been here.”
Meanwhile, the families of several American hostages in the Gaza Strip have criticized Mr. Biden for not doing enough to bring their loved ones home.
Families of American hostages in Gaza urge President Biden to act after six months of conflict: ‘There’s no time’ to wait
“Everyone is now in a dire humanitarian situation,” Orna Neutra, hostage Omer Neutra’s mother, told a press conference for the family last week. She said: “A partially agreed ceasefire or no agreed ceasefire could be a death sentence for our son.”
“I’m tired of hearing about progress toward a deal,” Neutra added. “We don’t have time to make progress.”
But those concerns don’t seem to be top of mind for many Democrats, who have focused their anger on the humanitarian situation facing Gaza.
Palestinians rush to collect humanitarian aid airlifted to Gaza City on March 17, 2024. (AP/Mohamed Hajjar/Stringer)
“Israel also fails to adequately mitigate harm to innocent civilians in Gaza, including aid workers, or fails to facilitate or arbitrarily refuses to transport or provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. “If there are any restrictions, we request that these transfers be withheld.” The Democratic Party’s letter states:
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Meanwhile, Biden pushed back against suggestions he would abandon Israel or cut military aid during a tense exchange with reporters on Friday.
Asked whether he threatened to cut off military aid to Israel in a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden said, “I told them to do what they were doing,” according to a report in the Times of Israel. I asked,” he replied.
Asked by another reporter if he would abandon Israel, Mr. Biden appeared visibly shocked by the suggestion.
“Where are you from?” Biden said before being asked the same question again.
“Is that a serious question?” Biden replied.
One notable exception to this trend is Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), a typically reliable progressive ally who has expressed staunch support for Israel.
“There are no conditions for Israel in this war with Hamas,” Fetterman said in a post to X last week.
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
