A group of 20 Democratic members of Congress on Tuesday urged the Biden administration to suspend offensive military transfers to Israel, citing concerns over humanitarian standards and national security risks.
The letter, led by Representatives Greg Casar (D-TX) and Summer Lee (D-PA) - both members of the progressive “Squad” - was co-signed by 18 other lawmakers. It follows an October 13, 2024, communication from the Biden administration to then-Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, outlining steps Israel must take to ensure compliance with U.S. laws and policies governing military aid.
The signatories argue that the Israeli government has failed to meet the outlined humanitarian standards. Addressing Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the lawmakers wrote: “We believe continuing to transfer offensive weapons to the Israeli government prolongs the suffering of the Palestinian people and risks our own national security by sending a message to the world that the U.S. will apply its laws, policies, and international law selectively.”
The letter further criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the ongoing conflict, warning that continued military aid would “put Israeli lives in danger by prolonging Netanyahu’s war, isolating Israel on the international stage, and creating further instability in the region.”
The lawmakers called for adherence to U.S. law, emphasizing the need to suspend offensive military transfers to the Israeli government. They stressed that failure to act would undermine America’s leverage in ceasefire negotiations and weaken its global commitment to human rights.
“We remain committed to saving Palestinian and Israeli lives,” the letter continued. “This means doing everything possible to prioritize the release of hostages, secure a lasting ceasefire deal, and move toward long-term peace.”
* Ynet contributed to this article.