Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his refusal to comply with President Joe Biden’s appeals for increased humanitarian efforts in Gaza during the conflict with Hamas.
Appearing on ABC News’ “This Week,” Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland lawmaker and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also emphasized the importance of President Biden following through on his “no excuses” rhetoric with concrete actions.
According to Senator Chris Van Hollen, the current situation is one where Netanyahu is essentially disregarding the President of the United States, and yet we continue to send more bombs. This decision doesn’t seem logical or reasonable.
The senator has been actively advocating for a reevaluation of the decision to send offensive weapons to Israel. His main concern lies with the well-being of civilians in Gaza and the anticipated invasion of Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza, where it is estimated that over 1 million Palestinians have sought refuge.
“I believe, Martha, that it is imperative for the Netanyahu government to prioritize providing aid to the people of Gaza who are facing dire circumstances and are on the brink of starvation. Before we consider sending more bombs, it is crucial that we address the urgent humanitarian needs of the people in Gaza,” Van Hollen emphasized during his statement on Sunday.
Biden and other U.S. officials have expressed growing annoyance with Netanyahu and the approach taken by the Israeli military in its operation against Hamas in Gaza, considering the significant number of casualties.
According to the health ministry in Gaza, more than 32,000 people have lost their lives in the ongoing war since the terror attack by Hamas on October 7th.
Despite expressing concern for the Palestinians affected by the conflict and issuing warnings of potential “consequences” if Israel proceeds with its actions in Rafah without considering civilian welfare, the president and his senior officials have not taken any direct measures to condition military aid or exert overt pressure on Netanyahu’s government.
During the interview, Raddatz questioned Van Hollen about his opinion on the administration’s next course of action, considering Netanyahu’s determination to enter Rafah and completely neutralize Hamas’ combat abilities.
According to Van Hollen, it is important to establish a two-way street rather than providing a one-way blank check with American taxpayer dollars.
“I believe it is crucial for us to maximize our leverage. We possess various forms of leverage, and one effective way to utilize it is by providing additional offensive weapons. Therefore, President Biden should prioritize the facilitation of humanitarian aid into Gaza as much as Prime Minister Netanyahu has prioritized his demands,” he expressed.
The administration has chosen not to present fresh requests for weapons to Congress. Instead, they are sending packages that have already been approved, a move that Van Hollen referred to as an “end run” to bypass critics on Capitol Hill.
Van Hollen expressed his support for Israel’s ongoing operations against Hamas, emphasizing that the country has a responsibility to defend itself. However, he also emphasized the need to minimize civilian casualties and prevent the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe.
“One-third of the humanitarian assistance shipments into northern Gaza have been blocked in the past month. Right now, we have the opportunity to open Erez Crossing in the north and provide immediate assistance. The situation is dire, with children starving to death,” Van Hollen expressed concern.
During the interview with Raddatz, he skillfully evaded answering whether he views Netanyahu as a war criminal. This came after he specifically highlighted the actions of two extreme members in the prime minister’s coalition who allegedly obstructed aid to Gaza.
He stated that a decision would need to be made regarding the overall intention of the Israeli government, and that this would ultimately be determined in the future.
According to Ophir Falk, a top adviser to Netanyahu, Israel has provided significant aid to civilians in Gaza during the ongoing conflict. Falk stated in an interview with ABC News that “maybe tens of thousands” of aid trucks have been sent to Gaza since the start of the war.
According to Falk, no other country would take such action.
According to him, Israel must also take measures to ensure that the aid is not being taken by Hamas.
He stated that it serves as a clear illustration of the contributions and sacrifices made by immigrants.
According to Van Hollen, opening the channel is currently a top priority. He emphasizes the importance of this action, as the port of Baltimore is a bustling hub with over 15,000 individuals employed directly by the port. Additionally, the livelihoods of thousands of others are dependent on the port, further emphasizing the urgency to open the channel.
The Army Corps of Engineers will take care of the entire expense of clearing the channel. Furthermore, the federal government has committed to funding 90% of the rebuilding costs, with Senator Ben Cardin and myself working on a legislation to cover the remaining 10%.
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