Democratic lawmakers have urged President Joe Biden to address concerns regarding Israel’s alleged obstruction of humanitarian aid to Gaza, citing potential violations of U.S. law.
In a letter signed by 86 House Democrats, lawmakers highlighted Israel’s purported limitations on aid flows into the war-torn region, raising doubts about its adherence to international humanitarian law and obligations under the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act.
The letter underscores concerns that Israel’s actions may contravene provisions outlined in a national security memorandum issued by Biden earlier this year, which requires recipients of U.S.-funded arms to uphold international humanitarian standards.
Despite repeated requests from the U.S., Israel is accused of resisting efforts to facilitate adequate sea and land routes for aid delivery to Gaza, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
U.S. Concerns Mount Over Humanitarian Crisis as Lawmakers Urge Biden Administration to Address Israel’s Compliance with International Law
The lawmakers expressed a pressing need for the Biden administration to ensure Israel’s compliance with existing laws and to take decisive steps to prevent a further humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
Under Biden’s memorandum, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is mandated to assess the credibility of Israel’s assurances regarding the use of U.S.-supplied arms in accordance with international law.
The memorandum grants Biden the authority to address any discrepancies in Israel’s assurances through a range of actions, including suspending arms transfers. However, U.S. officials acknowledge that while Israel has increased aid deliveries, the current levels remain insufficient to address the dire situation in Gaza.
In response to the lawmakers’ concerns, Israel has denied violating international law and restricting aid, citing its ongoing conflict with Hamas militants. Despite recent efforts to open more aid routes into Gaza, lawmakers remain critical of Israel’s conduct, particularly its alleged deliberate withholding of humanitarian assistance.
The letter underscores bipartisan support for Israel’s right to exist while condemning Hamas’ actions, including the recent attack and hostage-taking.
However, lawmakers stress the importance of holding Israel accountable for its actions, urging Biden to convey the message that continued restrictions on aid to Gaza could jeopardize Israel’s eligibility for further U.S. security assistance.
