Amidst President Joe Biden’s $111 billion national security supplemental request, a group of more than a dozen Senate Democrats is advocating for an amendment that would impose conditions on U.S. military aid to Israel and other allies.
U.S. Military Aid to Israel Faces Potential Conditions as Senate Democrats Advocate for New Amendment (Photo: NBC News)
Challenges to Existing U.S. Laws and Netanyahu’s Response
According to the recent development featured by the Washington Examiner, in December 08, 2023, the U.S. military aid move is a response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which erupted on October 7, resulting in a significant humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The proposed amendment aims to ensure that countries receiving U.S. military aid under the supplemental bill actively cooperate with U.S. and internationally supported efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in conflict zones.
The amendment, applicable to all nations receiving weapons through the supplemental bill, requires the president to report to Congress within 30 days on whether U.S. military aid-receiving countries are fully cooperating with humanitarian efforts. It specifically targets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s initial reluctance to permit humanitarian aid into Gaza, emphasizing existing U.S. laws that prohibit aid to any country obstructing the transport of American humanitarian assistance.
The U.S. military aid proposal also calls for compliance with international humanitarian law, the law of armed conflict, U.S. law, the President’s 2023 Conventional Arms Transfer Policy, and the Defense Department’s Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan.
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Division Among Democrats and Opposition to Aid Conditions
In a news released by The Hill, the push for these U.S. military aid conditions follows earlier attempts to include similar provisions in the original text of the Senate’s supplemental bill, which faced challenges over a border deal. While some Democrats express concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza, a majority, including President Biden, opposes the idea of conditioning aid to Israel.
Senator Jacky Rosen argues that imposing U.S. military aid conditions could undermine Israel’s ability to defend itself and weaken U.S. support for its ally. The amendment, if brought to the floor, is expected to face resistance, with its fate uncertain in the broader political landscape.
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