A coalition of liberal organizations and labor unions has sent a letter to the White House demanding that President Biden end military aid to Israel until restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza are lifted. This move reflects a shift in mainstream Democratic opinion on the ongoing conflict in the region.
The group, which includes progressive groups like MoveOn and the Working Families Party, as well as mainstream Democratic organizations like the Center for American Progress and NextGen America, is calling on Biden to enforce the Foreign Assistance Act. This act prohibits military support to any nation that restricts the delivery of humanitarian aid.
According to the letter, this action would send a clear message that the Netanyahu government is not above the law and that the U.S. will not stand by while innocent Palestinians are killed. Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez, president of NextGen America, emphasized the growing risk of losing support from a key part of the Democratic coalition if there is not a significant change in the American position on the conflict.
President Biden has already indicated that the U.S. could withhold support for Israel if more is not done to protect civilians and ensure adequate supplies for Gaza. The White House and the Biden campaign have not commented on the letter.
As pressure mounts on Biden from within the Democratic Party, the situation in Gaza continues to escalate, with thousands of casualties reported on both sides. The letter adds to the growing chorus of voices calling for a reevaluation of U.S. support for Israel in light of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.