Senators Call on President Biden to Enforce U.S. Law, Demand Humanitarian Aid Access in Gaza

In a joint effort to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Senators Bernie Sanders, Chris Van Hollen, Jeff Merkley, and five Democratic colleagues penned a letter to President Joe Biden on Monday, urging him to enforce federal law and hold Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accountable for obstructing humanitarian aid access to Gaza.

Citing Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, known as the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, the senators emphasized that Netanyahu’s interference in U.S. humanitarian operations in Gaza directly violates the law’s provisions. The act explicitly states that “No assistance shall be furnished under this chapter or the Arms Export Control Act to any country when it is made known to the President that the government of such country prohibits or otherwise restricts, directly or indirectly, the transport or delivery of United States humanitarian assistance.”

The senators’ letter called on President Biden to address the reported violations promptly. “According to public reporting and your own statements, the Netanyahu government is in violation of this law. Given this reality, we urge you to make it clear to the Netanyahu government that failure to immediately and dramatically expand humanitarian access and facilitate safe aid deliveries throughout Gaza will lead to serious consequences, as specified under existing U.S. law.”

Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, the senators stated, “The United States should not provide military assistance to any country that interferes with U.S. humanitarian assistance. Federal law is clear, and, given the urgency of the crisis in Gaza, and the repeated refusal of Prime Minister Netanyahu to address U.S. concerns on this issue, immediate action is necessary to secure a change in policy by his government.”

The letter also bore the signatures of Senators Mazie Hirono, Peter Welch, Tina Smith, Elizabeth Warren, and Ben Ray Luján, showcasing bipartisan support for the call to enforce U.S. law and ensure humanitarian aid access in Gaza.

As tensions rise and the humanitarian situation worsens in Gaza, the senators’ plea underscores the urgency of addressing these violations and holding the Israeli government accountable for obstructing vital humanitarian assistance. The ball is now in President Biden’s court to take the necessary actions to ensure compliance with U.S. law and alleviate the suffering in Gaza.