In a recent move that highlights the growing pressure on President Joe Biden, eight United States senators have penned a letter urging him to take a tough stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza. The senators, including Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, are calling for an ultimatum to be issued to Israel: expand aid to Gaza or risk losing US military assistance.
This letter comes as Biden himself has shown a willingness to openly criticize Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signaling a shift in the US government’s approach to its long-standing ally. The senators are urging Biden to comply with Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act, which prohibits aid to countries that restrict access to humanitarian assistance.
The senators argue that the Netanyahu government is in violation of this law, citing reports and Biden’s own statements. They assert that failure to immediately and significantly increase humanitarian access and aid deliveries to Gaza will have serious consequences under existing US law.
Israel has denied blocking humanitarian assistance for Gaza, but international workers have accused Israeli authorities of creating obstacles to aid delivery through violence, closed border crossings, and other means. The Palestinian enclave has been under siege since October 7, resulting in limited access to food, water, and basic supplies. Experts warn that more Palestinians are at risk of starvation and malnutrition, with over 31,180 already having died in Israel’s military campaign.
The senators stress that the US should not provide military assistance to any country that interferes with US humanitarian aid. They argue that immediate action is necessary to secure a change in policy from the Netanyahu government, given the urgency of the crisis in Gaza and the prime minister’s repeated refusal to address US concerns.
The United Nations has highlighted the need for regular ground deliveries of about 300 trucks per day to meet Gaza’s population’s needs. However, currently, only a maximum of 150 trucks are reaching the territory daily. In response to the crisis, the Biden administration has announced plans to set up a temporary pier off the coast of Gaza to deliver aid by sea, with construction expected to take several weeks. Airdrops of aid into the enclave have also recently begun.
While Biden has made contradictory statements regarding his approach to Israel’s military actions, he has emphasized that he would not abandon Israel or cut off all weapons supplies. Israel receives $3.8 billion in military financing and missile defense assistance from the US annually and enjoys bipartisan support in Congress. However, more lawmakers, particularly on the left, have been willing to express criticism against this staunch US ally.
Progressive legislators in the House of Representatives, such as Cori Bush and Rashida Tlaib, were among the first to call for a ceasefire in Gaza last year. This sentiment has now spread to the Senate, with Senator Sanders introducing a resolution in January calling for an examination of whether Israel has committed human rights violations. Although the resolution failed to pass, pressure is mounting to condition US aid to Israel on compliance with humanitarian law.
While the Biden administration released a national security memorandum in February requiring countries receiving US weapons to affirm their adherence to international law, critics argue that this measure falls short of exerting the desired leverage over Israel. Furthermore, the administration has approved emergency arms transfers to Israel and is seeking over $14 billion in supplemental aid for the country, bypassing Congress.
Senator Van Hollen, in an interview, emphasized the need for the Biden administration to send a strong message to Israel: “If you continue to ignore us, there will be consequences.” The senators’ letter reflects a growing sentiment among lawmakers that the US government must hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza and ensure compliance with international humanitarian standards.
