Senators call upon Biden to expand Gaza aid

In order to push for more Israeli accountability, eight United States senators have written a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to review US military assistance to Israel amidst its inhumane attacks on Gaza. [1]

Contents

Senior politicians make urgent plea as Gaza in ruins Apartheid state continues to block humanitarian aid Growing calls in Congress for accountability Analysis Also read

These efforts have brought to light allegations made against Benjamin Netanyahu by members of the Senate, pressuring Biden to comply with the 1961 Foreign Assistance Act — which restricts aid to countries that prevent access to humanitarian assistance. [2]

In the letter, the senators state,

“According to public reporting and your own statements, the Netanyahu government is in violation of this law.

“Given this reality, we urge you to make it clear to the Netanyahu government that failure to immediately and dramatically expand humanitarian access and facilitate safe aid deliveries throughout Gaza will lead to serious consequences, as specified under existing US law.” [1]

Senior politicians make urgent plea as Gaza in ruins

Former presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have led the signatories, along with notable names including Oregon’s Jeff Merkley, Hawaii’s Mazie Hirono, and Maryland’s Chris Van Hollen. [1]

The letter further reiterates the need for immediate action, demanding that the Zionist state expand humanitarian access to Gaza or face repercussions.

As Warren, Sanders, and the other signatories warn,

“The United States should not provide military assistance to any country that interferes with US humanitarian assistance.

“Federal law is clear, and, given the urgency of the crisis in Gaza, and the repeated refusal of Prime Minister Netanyahu to address US concerns on this issue, immediate action is necessary to secure a change in policy by his government.” [3]

Apartheid state continues to block humanitarian aid

Israel has consistently denied accusations of blocking humanitarian assistance, yet international workers continue to mention numerous challenges in delivering aid, not least including violence, closed border crossings, and other logistical hurdles. [1]

Indeed, in February UN workers reported Israel’s navy firing upon a convoy carrying food into northern Gaza, as if it were not already an extremely dire situation. [4]

Tom White, Director of Affairs for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), said of the callous incident at the time,

“This morning, a food convoy waiting to move into northern Gaza was hit by Israeli naval gunfire; thankfully no-one was injured.” [4]

In addition, World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director for Palestine, Matthew Hollingworth, said,

“It’s really not enough to prevent a famine and we know levels of hunger in Gaza are getting at that level now.

“Getting through checkpoints and simply moving through Gaza from the southern governorate of Rafah is now extremely difficult, as there were literally a million-and-a-half people stuck in Rafah.

“They’re all desperate and they’re all asking for assistance.” [4]

Growing calls in Congress for accountability

Progressive US leaders have been increasingly vocal in their criticism of American support for Israel.

Representatives like Cori Bush and Rashida Tlaib have advocated for a ceasefire, echoed in the Senate by Bernie Sanders.

In January, Sanders put forth a resolution but it unfortunately failed to pass; it had sought to scrutinise Israel’s potential human rights violations in Gaza. [5]

Congresswoman Bush said on 16 November of last year,

“As the devastation in Israel and Gaza continues to claim more lives and displace more people, our calls for a ceasefire grow wider, louder, and stronger every day across the world.” [6]

Likewise, Tlaib, an influential Democratic politician of Palestinian Muslim heritage, said,

“The majority of Americans, including over 70 per cent of Michigan Democrats, want a ceasefire.

“While there are growing attempts to silence the diverse coalition of people advocating for peace, fighting to save lives no matter their faith or ethnicity should not be controversial.

“We will not be intimidated, we will not be silenced, and we will not stop calling for an end to this violence. I urge my colleagues to listen to their constituents and call for a ceasefire now to save innocent lives.” [6]

Analysis

ANALYSIS

Fadlur Rahman

Imam, Northwich Muslim Cultural Centre

Completely avoidable hunger crisis

The people of Gaza have been enduring a man-made famine, leaving 2.2 million Palestinians at extreme risk of starvation.

Many have questioned how such a devastating disaster could occur in the year 2024.

However, the reality, as many others have speculated, is that the intention to starve the Palestinians has been present since the Israelis decided to cut off the water supply and minimise the aid trucks arriving in Gaza.

Since then, the people of Palestine have relied solely on the minimal food that has entered, whether through aid trucks or even a few air drops.

How is dropping aid supposed to help?

Recently, a disturbing video, circulated on media platforms, showed aid dropped via US Air Force C-17 cargo planes, resulting in the deaths of five Palestinian children and the injury of many more.

Prior to the drop, the parachutes appeared to have been either ripped or cut, causing the aid to plummet at such speed that it crushed and killed the five children.

To date, US Central Command has denied that this airdrop was one of their own, and we remain unaware of who dropped the aid with the intent to cause harm or death.

Calls for aid deliveries via non-existent Gaza ports

Western governments, including the US, have now called for aid to be brought in through a maritime corridor, despite Gaza lacking deep-water ports for ships to dock.

One aid-carrying ship, originally loaded in Cyprus, reached Gaza on Friday. But many have labelled this as another PR stunt by the West, rather than a genuine effort to help bring sufficient levels of aid into Gaza.

Tellingly, no statements have been made regarding aid to be brought in via the Rafah Crossing, which is the quickest route to provide aid for the Palestinians.