(RepublicanPress.org) – On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked Israel, killing more than 1,200 and starting a war that has since amassed casualties in the tens of thousands — mainly civilians in the Gaza Strip. Between 2019 and 2023, the United States supplied 65.6% of Israel’s total weapons and has given the country $3.8 billion in aid annually for some time. Recently, several Democratic lawmakers called on the president to halt weapons sales to Israel.
On April 5, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and 39 other legislators penned a letter to President Joe Biden expressing their anger about the recent Israeli strike that killed seven humanitarian workers from the World Central Kitchen. The lawmakers urged the US leader to “reconsider [his] decision to authorize the transfer of a new arms package to Israel.”
They also want Biden to halt any future transfers until an investigation into the horrific incident is complete and those “responsible are held accountable” if they “violated US or international law.” Pelosi and the others want Biden to also stop the weapons shipments unless Israel does more to “mitigate harm to innocent civilians in Gaza” or doesn’t allow aid to safely flow into the region. They said more than 200 aid workers have been killed so far trying to feed and care for the starving people in Gaza.
The group is referring to, in part, a new $18 billion package the Biden administration is reportedly pressing Congress to pass. The deal includes the transfer of up to 50 F-15 fighter jets, munitions, training, and other support. However, US officials stated that the jets would not reach Israel for at least five years. Still, other weapons from the United States could make their way much sooner, making them a bigger concern for the current war. The lawmakers want Biden to stop the thousands of bombs and 25 F-35A fighter jets authorized to go to Israel unless certain conditions are met.
It’s unclear if Biden will heed the request.
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