A group of senators, including Bernie Sanders, Chris Van Hollen, and Jeff Merkley, has called on the Biden administration to cut off American military assistance to Israel unless the Netanyahu government stops obstructing aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip.
The senators argue that Israel’s actions are causing a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where children are dying of starvation after months of Israeli bombing and attacks on humanitarian convoys.
US Senate (Credits: Source New Mexico)
The senators point to Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, which prohibits the furnishing of assistance to any country that restricts the transport or delivery of United States humanitarian assistance. They argue that Israel’s systematic obstruction of aid deliveries violates this law.
While Biden administration officials have acknowledged Israel’s interference with aid deliveries, they have not taken action to address it.
US Senate (Credits: Premium Times Nigeria)
The senators urge Biden to make it clear to the Netanyahu government that failure to expand humanitarian access and facilitate safe aid deliveries in Gaza will lead to serious consequences, including the cutoff of military assistance.
The senators emphasize the urgency of the crisis in Gaza and the need for immediate action to secure a change in Israel’s policy. They call on the Biden administration to uphold federal law and ensure that U.S. military assistance is not provided to any country that interferes with U.S. humanitarian assistance.
