More than a dozen Democratic senators visited the White House this week, where they discussed the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, its impact on Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and what steps the Biden administration will take after it expires. the temporary ceasefire.
US Sens. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, and Jack Reed, DR.I., were joined by more than a dozen of their Democratic colleagues for a meeting with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Tuesday. The named lawmakers then released a statement Wednesday detailing what was discussed.
According to the statement, the senators condemned the brutal terrorist attacks by Hamas, expressed support for funds to immediately replenish Israel’s defense systems, and directed the White House to detail its plan to support the Israel in a way that furthers US interests.
“We continue to support additional aid to Israel after the brutal attacks by Hamas – but we all agree that this aid must be consistent with our interests and values and used in a manner that complies with international humanitarian law, the law of armed conflict, and US law,” the Democrats said.
They added: “We need to find a better path toward helping Israel achieve its legitimate military and security goals. US aid never comes in the form of a blank check — regardless of the recipient.”
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR: US LOOKS TO INCREASE GAZA AID THROUGH EGYPT, WITH WARNING FOR ISRAEL
National security adviser Jake Sullivan speaks during the daily briefing at the White House on Nov. 13, 2023. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
The statement came as Israel and Hamas extended a temporary ceasefire for several more days – with another potential extension under discussion. The temporary truce includes the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel as well as the opportunity to provide humanitarian relief to Palestinians in Gaza.
In the letter, the Democratic lawmakers specifically condemned Hamas for launching a terror attack on October 7 that triggered the current conflict.
IDF CHIEF SAYS ‘ISRAEL IS READY TO CONTINUE FIGHTING,’ PLEDGES TO ‘GET HAMAS OUT’ AFTER CHAIRMAN’S TRUST EXPIRES
Sen. spoke. Chris Van Hollen at a Senate Budget Committee hearing in Washington, DC, on March 15, 2023. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“In the wake of the brutal terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel, America stands united in our support for Israel’s duty to defend itself and hold Hamas accountable,” the Democrats said. “We believe the US should immediately provide funding to Israel to support this effort, including funds to replace its defense systems.”
ATTORNEY GENERAL GARLAND SAYS HAMAS ‘HOPEFULLY’ WILL RELEASE MORE AMERICAN HOSTAGES ‘IN DAYS’
“But to better understand the effectiveness of US funding supporting Israeli operations inside Gaza, we have requested answers from the President on how these funds are being used to ensure they support an Israeli strategy that is effective will reduce and defeat the threat from Hamas while taking all possible steps to protect civilians in Gaza,” they added, referring to a letter they sent to President Biden that expressed similar sentiments.
More than a dozen Democratic senators visited the Biden White House this week, where they discussed the Israel-Hamas war. (Michael Robinson Chávez/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
“In our letter to President Biden, we raised several important issues, including maintaining a focus on the return of hostages, reducing civilian casualties, delivering humanitarian aid, establishing a plan for postwar governance and future of the region, and addressing extremist violence in the West Bank. During yesterday’s briefing, we had the opportunity to discuss with the Administration each of the questions raised in our letter,” they said in a statement Wednesday.
“As we expressed at the meeting, we are grateful for their leadership in negotiating a temporary ceasefire to ensure the release of many hostages and to allow some much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza,” they said. “But as the end of the temporary ceasefire nears, we must do more to ensure the protection of innocent civilians.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The current moratorium, which is set to expire on Nov. 30, allowed for the release of hostages seized by Hamas during its attack on Israel on October 7. (Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images)
Democrats also said they were “deeply concerned” about continued fighting between the Israeli Defense Forces and Hamas, which they said “threatens to renew the high number of civilian casualties and more deepen the humanitarian crisis.”
They also urged President Biden, who has received criticism for his handling of the Israel-Hamas war, to publicly discuss his strategy, saying “the Administration must provide clear responses to the American people on these matters .”
The current ceasefire is set to expire on Nov. 30.
