Former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Pelosi has called on her party colleague President Biden to stop supplying weapons to Israel. The reason is the death of Gaza helpers. Other Democrats also support the cause.
Nancy Pelosi calls for a stop to arms sales to Israel. The former speaker of the House of Representatives and a key ally of US President Joe Biden joined about 40 other Democrats in Congress Write signed to the US President and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. It calls for a suspension of arms sales to the Israeli government.
“In light of the recent attack on World Central Kitchen aid workers and the ever-worsening humanitarian crisis, we believe it is unjustified to authorize arms transfers,” the document said. This applies at least until the end of an investigation into the incident. “If this attack is found to violate American or international law, we urge you to refrain from supplying weapons until those responsible are held accountable.”
The letter also states that Biden should influence Israel to allow more aid into the Gaza Strip and to reduce civilian casualties in military operations. In order to achieve this, planned arms deliveries should not be approved for the time being.
Left wing of the party critical
The US government’s support for Israel is increasingly causing criticism within the Democratic Party. Representatives of the left wing of his party in particular have recently criticized more and more loudly that the president is taking sides too one-sidedly for Israel. A dilemma for Biden, as political scientist David Schultz from Hamline University in Minnesota says ARD radio explained: “He cannot win in the current situation,” said the expert.
On the one hand, Biden must take into account the Jewish votes, which are very important to him. At the same time, he also needs the left wing of the party. “And he needs young people. Young voters feel a lot more sympathy – not necessarily for Hamas, but for the Palestinians,” said Schultz.
Domestic policy Pressure increases
The domestic political pressure on Biden continues to increase. It had already increased recently, which is why the White House has become increasingly critical of Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu.
But since the deaths of the aid workers in the Gaza Strip, more and more Democrats have also expressed their criticism publicly.