As tensions between Israel and Palestine continue to rise, more Democrats are coming forward, expressing concern over the conduct of Israel in its response to the situation.
On Wednesday, Democrats in the House and Senate wrote a letter to President Joe Biden, asking him to press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire in Gaza and withdraw from occupied Palestinian territories. Signatories included Sens. Chris Murphy (CT), Bernie Sanders (VT), and Elizabeth Warren (MA).
The letter comes as Israel has been accused of using excessive force in dealing with the situation. It has been reported that at least 230 Palestinians have been killed in the latest round of violence, compared to only 12 Israelis.
The letter expressed the signatories’ “deep concern for the serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza” and for “the increasing escalation of violence between Israeli and Palestinian forces.” It also noted that “the facts on the ground indicate that Israeli forces have resorted to disproportionate force against Palestinian civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
The signatories implored the Biden administration to “demand that Prime Minister Netanyahu accept a ceasefire immediately and agree to Israeli withdrawal from occupied Palestinian territories.”
The United Nations has also called for a ceasefire and on Thursday, the U.N. Human Rights Council voted to form a commission of inquiry to investigate Israeli human rights violations in Gaza.
The letter to Biden is just the latest effort by Democrats to push the administration to be more critical of Israel. Earlier this week, Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04) introduced a bill that would “prohibit U.S. taxpayer funds from supporting military detention, interrogation, abuse, and ill-treatment of Palestinian children.” The bill is backed by over 50 lawmakers, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (CA-12).
It is clear that the Democratic Party is not just embracing a pro-Israel stance, but also a pro-human rights stance. As more Democrats come forward to urge the Biden administration to step in and take action in the conflict, it will be interesting to see how the administration responds.
As tensions between Israel and Palestine continue to rise, more Democrats are coming forward, expressing concern over the conduct of Israel in its response to the situation.
On Wednesday, Democrats in the House and Senate wrote a letter to President Joe Biden, asking him to press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire in Gaza and withdraw from occupied Palestinian territories. Signatories included Sens. Chris Murphy (CT), Bernie Sanders (VT), and Elizabeth Warren (MA).
The letter comes as Israel has been accused of using excessive force in dealing with the situation. It has been reported that at least 230 Palestinians have been killed in the latest round of violence, compared to only 12 Israelis.
The letter expressed the signatories’ “deep concern for the serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza” and for “the increasing escalation of violence between Israeli and Palestinian forces.” It also noted that “the facts on the ground indicate that Israeli forces have resorted to disproportionate force against Palestinian civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
The signatories implored the Biden administration to “demand that Prime Minister Netanyahu accept a ceasefire immediately and agree to Israeli withdrawal from occupied Palestinian territories.”
The United Nations has also called for a ceasefire and on Thursday, the U.N. Human Rights Council voted to form a commission of inquiry to investigate Israeli human rights violations in Gaza.
The letter to Biden is just the latest effort by Democrats to push the administration to be more critical of Israel. Earlier this week, Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04) introduced a bill that would “prohibit U.S. taxpayer funds from supporting military detention, interrogation, abuse, and ill-treatment of Palestinian children.” The bill is backed by over 50 lawmakers, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (CA-12).
It is clear that the Democratic Party is not just embracing a pro-Israel stance, but also a pro-human rights stance. As more Democrats come forward to urge the Biden administration to step in and take action in the conflict, it will be interesting to see how the administration responds.
