Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) 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 BELOW and here.
“Under international humanitarian law, Israel has an obligation to provide and allow—not impede—the free flow and facilitation of humanitarian aid to Gaza. 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.
“Yoav Gallant recently confirmed there is no justification for Israel’s continued involvement in Gaza, saying ‘There’s nothing left in Gaza to do. The major achievements have been achieved…I fear we are staying there just because there is a desire to be there.’ Later, according to reports, he said ‘The IDF commander and I said there was no security reason for remaining in the Philadelphi corridor…Netanyahu said that it was a diplomatic consideration; I’m telling you there was no diplomatic consideration.’ If their military objectives are met, why is the U.S. sending offensive weapons for Israel to use in Gaza? Why are we allowing the humanitarian crisis to worsen with U.S. taxpayer dollars?
“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.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch
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