US President , Joe Biden , has been told to stop supplying unpleasant ammunition to , Israel , by senior members of his own group.
Seven Democratic lawmakers — including , Chris Van Hollen,  , Jeff Merkley,  , Tina Smith , and , Ben Ray Lujan , — alongside separate Sen.  , Bernie Sanders , have written to Biden telling him his administration’s present policy contradicts the US Foreign Assistance Act.
The provisions of the act prevent the supply of weapons to foreign nations that prevent humanitarian assistance from reaching residents.
For decades, the UN and other aid agencies have said , Israel , has never provided safe passage for fleets, or has constantly hindered the delivery of humanitarian items to , Gaza.
” We urge you to make it clear to the Netanyahu state that failing to quickly and dramatically increase humanitarian access and promote safe aid deliveries throughout , Gaza , may lead to serious consequences, as specified under existing , U. S.  , law”, the eight signatories, who likewise include Sen.  , Elizabeth Warren , and her colleagues , Maizie Hirono , and , Peter Welch, said in their letter to Biden.
Sanders told the New York Times that , Israel ‘s , actions also contravene the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, saying:” They are preventing US humanitarian assistance from getting to the people of , Gaza. They violate the law, so financial aid should be suspended.
He added:” I hope the president understands that a growing number of members of , Congress, and the American people in general, are sick and tired of seeing the destruction of the people of , Gaza , and the creation of mass starvation”.
Sanders said:” Israel , has the right to defend itself … but , Israel , does not have — in any way, shape or form — the right to go to war against the entire Palestinian people”.
Many , Democrats , are trying to pressure the Biden administration to force , Israel , to change tack in , Gaza , as the conflict enters its sixth month amid mounting civilian casualties.
However, a lack of support in either the , Senate , or the , House of Representatives , has limited their ability to influence votes in , Congress.
In February, the , Senate , approved an additional$ 14.1 billion in military aid to , Israel, including$ 10 billion ring- fenced for offensive weaponry.
Biden has remained resolute in supporting , Israel ‘s , right to defend itself. However, earlier this month he authorized the airdropping of 38, 000 meals into , Gaza, and his administration has announced plans to build a temporary pier on the enclave’s coast to facilitate the delivery of more aid.
Van Hollen , said these actions indicate that the , White House , feels , Israel , is actively hindering humanitarian supplies from reaching people in need.
” People are now dying of starvation, and we need to use all the leverage we’ve got”, he added. The administration “has not used the leverage it has today.” I’m not sure how many more children need to be starved before we use all of our influence, but they really need to do more.
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( c ) 2024 the Arab News
Distributed by , Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
