President Joe Biden is facing increasing pressure to reconsider the White House’s support for Israel in the ongoing war in Gaza. A group of 90 House Democrats are urging him to pause weapon sales to the Israeli military.
The lawmakers led by Reps. Jason Crow and Chris Deluzio referred to a memo Biden signed in February that required Israel to provide assurances on the preservation of human rights in Gaza or see the US stop weapons transfers.
Democrats cite there is sufficient evidence that the humanitarian aid flow into Gaza—which is controlled by Israelis—is less and could cause famine. Various measures proposed include refreshing assurances and withholding arms transfers to enforce compliance.
Another letter from 57 House Democrats urged Biden to withhold aid that could be used in attacks on Gaza.
The moves come at a time when several American colleges are dealing with pro-Palestinian student protests.
Democrats are worried that the college population is losing faith in them in a crucial election year.
Biden, who has put off voicing about the university demonstrations, recently defended students’ right to protest peacefully but criticized the chaos caused by encampments.
Meanwhile
The US military and UN are constructing a pier and floating causeway to facilitate more aid to Gaza, reports Politico. About 1,000 American soldiers and sailors (along with partner nations) are involved in the building process.
The dock will be protected by Israeli forces and will facilitate the delivery of 90-150 aid trucks per day once operations begin. The new maritime route supplements existing land-based aid delivery into the Gaza Strip.