Progressive lawmakers put pressure on Biden over Israel’s response in Gaza

Progressive lawmakers are urging President Biden to communicate that Israel’s response to the recent brutal attack from Hamas must limit harm to civilians and adhere to international law.

“We write to express our concerns regarding the unfolding humanitarian situation in Gaza as Israel responds to Hamas’ terrorist attack,” reads the letter to Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, signed by 55 lawmakers.

“As President Biden has previously stated, Israel has the right to defend its people and respond to these vicious attacks,” they continued. “We strongly believe that Israel’s response must take into account the millions of innocent civilians in Gaza who themselves are victims of Hamas and are suffering the consequences of their terror campaign.” 

The lawmakers’ letter lays out five requests for the Biden administration, including putting pressure on Israel to adhere to international law and helping set up a humanitarian corridor.

Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal (Wash.) and fellow Democratic Reps. Jan Schakowsky (Ill.), Mark Pocan (Wis.) and Jim McGovern (Mass.) led the effort, according to a release from Jayapal’s office.

The progressive lawmakers condemn the surprise attack that Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, launched on Israel last weekend, which Israel responded to with a barrage of airstrikes against the Gaza Strip — the region controlled by the group.

The lawmakers in the letter stressed that they’re “deeply concerned” about Israel’s recent order that 1 million civilians evacuate Gaza within 24 hours, citing the United Nations’ warnings that such an order is a violation of international humanitarian law. 

The lawmakers put pressure on the White House to “communicate that Israel’s response in Gaza must be carried out according to international law and take all due measures to limit harm to civilians.” 

They’re also asking Biden to collaborate with regional partners to set up a humanitarian corridor that would facilitate getting food, water and other necessities into the area. The specifically stressed getting Palestinian civilians and others — including Americans — out of Gaza. 

The lawmakers also pushed the White House to make sure supplemental funding requests to Congress include humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza and for Israelis. 

The Israel-Hamas conflict has reportedly cost more than 2,800 lives on both sides.

Following the initial attack, Israel cut off supplies, including food, water, fuel and medicine, to Gaza. The region’s access point into Egypt was also closed earlier this week as a result of airstrikes.

“The future and safety of Israelis and Palestinians are intertwined. We cannot achieve lasting peace and security for Israelis without addressing the humanitarian crises in Gaza and the West Bank,” the lawmakers concluded in the letter.

Democratic Reps. Jamaal Bowman (N.Y.), Maxwell Frost (Fla.), Barbara Lee (Calif.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) and Ayanna Pressley (Mass.) are also among the signatories.