Representative Nancy Pelosi, a prominent Democrat from California and a close ally of President Joe Biden, joined numerous congressional Democrats in signing a letter addressed to the President and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday.
The letter urged the Biden administration to halt the transfer of weapons to Israel despite growing international criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The conflict in Gaza escalated following an attack by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on October 7th, leading to widespread condemnation and calls for intervention as casualties mounted.
Nancy Pelosi (Credits: BBC)
Pelosi’s support for halting weapons transfers to Israel reflects a shifting stance within the Democratic Party, indicating a more mainstream view aligning with concerns over civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The letter specifically cited an Israeli airstrike that resulted in the deaths of seven aid workers from the organization World Central Kitchen on Monday, calling for an investigation into the incident by the Biden administration.
It emphasized the need to reevaluate the approval of weapons transfers to Israel in light of such events and the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Pelosi and 36 other Democrats, including Representatives Barbara Lee, Rashida Tlaib, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, signed the letter, underscoring a growing chorus of voices within the party urging a reassessment of U.S. support for Israel’s military actions.
Representative Nancy Pelosi (Credits: KQED)
In response to mounting pressure, the Israeli military announced disciplinary actions against two officers and senior commanders following an inquiry into the deaths of the aid workers.
However, the Biden administration has signaled that more needs to be done by Israel to protect civilians, warning of potential policy changes if such actions are not taken.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas on October 7th resulted in great casualties, with Israeli tallies reporting around 1,200 deaths. The subsequent military assault on Gaza has led to widespread displacement and allegations of genocide, which Israel denies.
