As the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza enters its sixth month, President Joe Biden is facing increasing pressure from Democrats to take a tougher stance against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his plans for a large-scale invasion of Rafah. The mounting concerns come in conjunction with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where 2.2 million Palestinians are struggling to access basic necessities such as food, water, medicine, and shelter.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has warned that congressional action to block U.S. arms sales to Israel is “certainly something that’s on the table” if Netanyahu proceeds with the Rafah invasion, which Biden has described as a “red line.” The president has asked Israel for a comprehensive plan to protect civilians during the potential offensive, but Netanyahu has yet to provide one.
Democrats argue that by continuing to arm Israel, Biden may be violating the Foreign Assistance Act, which prohibits military support to nations that restrict the delivery of humanitarian aid. In a letter to the president, Sen. Bernie Sanders and six other Democrats asserted that the U.S. should suspend financial support to Israel due to its role in precipitating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Biden administration has taken steps to address the situation, including ordering the U.S. military to build a temporary port in Gaza to facilitate aid delivery and pressuring Israel to allow more supplies to enter via land routes. However, many Democrats believe these measures are insufficient and are calling for stronger action.
A recent YouGov poll commissioned by the Center for Economic and Policy Research found that a majority of U.S. adults (52%) support halting American arms shipments to Israel until the attacks on Gaza cease. The poll also revealed a partisan divide, with 62% of Biden voters supporting the move, compared to just 30% of Trump voters.
As the death toll in Gaza surpasses 30,000, mostly women and children, and with South Africa filing a genocide charge against Israel at the International Court of Justice, the pressure on Biden to take decisive action continues to grow. The administration is currently working with Israel, Egypt, Qatar, and Hamas to broker a deal that would secure the release of prisoners and hostages and establish a six-week cease-fire. However, with Netanyahu vowing to press ahead with the Rafah invasion, the prospect of a peaceful resolution remains uncertain.
