WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced there will be no change to U.S. policy in Israel, despite humanitarian organizations, the United Nations, and press investigations showing a failure to end the humanitarian crisis and comply with international humanitarian law:
“Accepting ‘small steps’ and empty promises won’t cut it when the devastation created by Israel in Gaza—using U.S. taxpayer funded bombs—is causing a calamity. Human rights and aid organizations made it well known to the Biden Administration this situation isn’t improving in a sustainable way. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is catastrophic and has only deteriorated since Israel began its bombing campaign.
“It is long past time for the Biden Administration to insist that Israel adheres to international humanitarian law, the Leahy Law, and its obligation to facilitate—not impede—humanitarian aid.”
Ahead of Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin’s 30-day deadline outlined in their October 13th letter, Senator Welch urged the Biden Administration to withhold offensive military aid to Israel saying, “The Leahy Law and other U.S. laws are clear: all countries are held to the same standard, and all countries that receive U.S. security assistance must follow international humanitarian law. Israel is no different…I urge the Biden Administration to follow through on its October 13th letter, uphold international humanitarian law, and stop sending offensive military aid to Israel.”
Read his full statement urging the Biden Administration to withhold offensive military aid to Israel here.
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