Democrats challenge Biden’s stance over aid for ‘Israel’: NYT

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The New York Times
8 Nov 2023 22:02

24 Democrats and two independents seek assurances that US aid for "Israel" complies with international and US laws.

US President Joe Biden addresses a conference at the Washington Hilton on April 25, 2023. (Getty Images/AFP)

A significant portion of the Senate Democratic caucus has called on US President Joe Biden to clarify his request for $14.3 billion in emergency military aid for "Israel", The New York Times reported.

They are also seeking assurance that "Israel" has a viable plan for "ending Hamas" and that the US assistance complies with international and US laws.

In a letter to the US President, 24 Democrats and two independents have asked for more details on how the administration plans to ensure that "Israel" is minimizing civilian casualties in Gaza.

They also want Biden's assessment of the achievability of "Israel's" military plans to "remove Hamas" from Gaza, whether these plans are taking the captives' fate into consideration, and the viability of the Israeli governance plan for "post-war Gaza".

This letter represents the first major challenge from within President Biden's party regarding his administration's support for Israeli actions. It was initiated by Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, with signatures from prominent Democrats, such as Senators Richard J. Durbin and Jack Reed. It is worth noting that this concern goes beyond the progressive left and reflects a shift in tone among Democrats regarding the struggle, NYT argued.

As the Senate contemplates President Biden's request for a $105 billion national security spending package, including military aid for "Israel" and Ukraine, there are disagreements between the Senate and the Republican-led House on this matter. The senators are not threatening to withhold support for aid to "Israel" but are requesting more transparency and accountability regarding the assistance they are being asked to approve.

Overall, this development underscores a change in perspective among some Democrats regarding the "Israel-Palestine struggle", along with a shift in President Biden's stance, which has become more critical of "Israel's" response.

In short, the senators are distinguishing between "defensive aid' for "Israel", which they fully support, and military aid for furthering the Israeli aggression on Gaza, where they have raised substantial questions.

The Senate Democrats' letter comes amid increasing pressure from the more progressive wing of the party. Within this group, lawmakers and activists have been advocating for a ceasefire and have criticized Biden for supporting genocide against Palestinians.

Genocide, as per international law, is defined as a crime committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, whether in peacetime or during war.

A number of the individuals who signed the letter have been outspoken in their calls for the administration to give greater importance to safeguarding the well-being of Palestinian civilians, not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank.

The big picture

In the Gaza Strip, where "Israel" is committing genocide, resulting in the killing of over 10,500 Palestinians including 4,324 children, survivors are trapped and unable to find a haven. They are also deprived of food, water, medicine, and fuel due to the total Israeli blockade on the Strip.

Amid the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza, senior Egyptian security sources have lately confirmed that the Israeli occupation entity sought to propose and "recommend" corrupt "suggestions", noting that among them was the suggestion to "settle the people of the Gaza Strip in Sinai."

Meanwhile, in the West Bank, Palestinians are being tortured, detained, killed, or forcibly displaced from their homes.

It is worth noting that the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank alone since October 7 has reached 163, and more than 1,900 have been injured.