Democratic Senators Call for Reduction in US Military Assistance to Israel

A group of Democratic senators, along with Sen. Bernie Sanders, are calling on President Joe Biden to halt military aid to Israel if the Netanyahu government continues to restrict humanitarian aid access to Gaza.

In a letter addressed to Biden on Monday, the senators, including Sanders, Jeff Merkley, Chris Van Hollen, Peter Welch, Mazie Hirono, Tina Smith, Elizabeth Warren, and Ben Ray Lujan, argued that Israel’s actions violate Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, also known as the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act.

The senators are urging Biden to enforce the law, which states that no assistance should be provided to a country that obstructs the transport or delivery of U.S. humanitarian aid.

The letter to Biden reads, “The United States should not provide military assistance to any country that interferes with U.S. humanitarian assistance. Federal law is clear, and immediate action is necessary to secure a change in policy by the Israeli government.”

The Hill reported that Palestinian officials claim the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 31,000.