Sullivan says Biden doesn't rule out conditions on aid for 'Israel'
3 Min Read
Biden says the issue of conditional aid to "Israel" is a "worthwhile thought".
-
US President Joe Biden responds to a reporter in Massachusetts on November 24, 2023. (AP)
In an interview for NBC News' "Meet the Press" on Sunday, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan did not rule out President Joe Biden sending aid to "Israel" with conditions, despite a four-day temporary truce in the war on Gaza, with additional captives anticipated to be released.
In response to criticism from certain Democrats who have vocalized support for Palestinians and denounced Israeli war crimes, Biden stated during a recent news conference that the issue of conditional aid to "Israel" is a "worthwhile thought".
When asked by Kristen Welker if the administration would support that, Sullivan responded, “In that answer, President [Joe] Biden acknowledged that idea but he went on to say that his approach — President Biden’s approach, which was high-level private diplomacy — has actually generated results.”
Sullivan did not rule out that Biden was open to "signing legislation that would provide aid to 'Israel' that comes with conditions" but cited that the President would continue to aim his focus on things that "generate results".
Some congressional authorities have warned Biden that they would not support further aid to "Israel" without conditions.
A report by The Wall Street Journal revealed that Members of Congress on Sunday voiced support for putting conditions on aid to "Israel" to limit civilian deaths in the Gaza conflict. Rep. Ro Khanna (D., Calif.) told ABC’s “This Week” that “our State Department needs to make sure that any of our aid isn't used in a way that violates human rights. That's not just for Israel, that’s around the world.”
On his part, Rep. Michael Turner (R., Ohio), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “the White House has been clear and I think U.S. policy has been clear of… lessening the Palestinian casualties that are not Hamas.” When asked if he would vote for conditional aid to "Israel", Turner said, “I wouldn't propose it, but I think it does accurately reflect U.S. policy.”
This comes as a new report by The Intercept revealed that the White House has demanded all limits on weapons and ammunition permissible to "Israel" from US stockpiles be lifted.
Last week, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., outlined specific conditions that must be met for the tremendous flow of aid to continue.
Vermont's own condemned what he described as the Netanyahu government's "almost total warfare against the Palestinian people" — emphasis on "almost" — citing the displacement of 1.6 million individuals, cutting off essential supplies, and the tragic loss of Palestinian lives, particularly children.
Sanders asserted that the actions of the Israeli occupation in Gaza violate "every code of human decency" and must come to an immediate halt.
The pro-Israeli Senator put five conditions in place for the continuation of aid to "Israel", including the end of indiscriminate bombing, the right to return for the displaced, no long-term reoccupation, blockade, ending settler violence and freezing settlement, and commitment to peace talks for a "two-state solution".
