Demand Progress

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will go ahead with a ground invasion in the Gazan city of Rafah despite President Biden’s opposition and warnings that such an invasion would be a “red line” for the United States.¹

Rafah is a densely populated city in Gaza where 1.4 million Palestinians have fled to escape Israel’s bombing campaigns.² A ground invasion in would displace, kill, and cut off humanitarian aid like food and water to great numbers of Palestinians — many who’ve already fled their homes.³

The U.S. government has backed Israel’s war with weapons and money — it’s way past time to end the United States’ complicity in the atrocities against Palestinians.

Sign the petition to President Biden and Congress: Suspend all offensive military aid for Netanyahu’s war!

It was just reported that the U.S. government has made over 100 sales of military equipment or weapons to Israel since the start of the war. Only two of them made headlines as President Biden bypassed Congress and sold $250 million in weapons to Israel.⁴

Congress has recently debated sending over $14 billion in security assistance to Israel. The United States doling out even more security assistance at this time would be unthinkable — just like when Biden sent weapons to Israel in December.

Eight Senators this week wrote to President Biden urging the administration to stop sending weapons to Israel because it may be a violation of the Foreign Assistance Act, which bars military support from going to any nation that restricts the delivery of humanitarian aid.⁵

Hamas's attacks beginning on October 7 must be condemned, but Israel's response has been disproportionate and taken an extraordinary civilian toll. After more than five months of horrific violence that has killed so many innocent people, Congress and the White House must pressure Israel to find a permanent end to this armed conflict. And the United States cannot send any more no strings attached money and weapons to support this war.

President Biden and Congress cannot continue supporting the attacks on civilians in Gaza.

Add your name: Urge President Biden and Congress to unequivocally say NO to sending more weapons and military assistance to Israel.

Sources:

1. Politico, "Netanyahu vows to defy Biden’s 'red line' on Rafah,” March 10, 2024.
2. Associated Press, "Israeli strikes hit Rafah after Biden warns Netanyahu to have 'credible' plan to protect civilians,” February 11, 2024.
3. UN News, "Gazans 'stalked by hunger, disease and death,' warns UN’s top aid official,” February 8, 2024.
4. Washington Post, "U.S. Floods Arms Into Israel Despite Mounting Alarm Over War's Conduct,” March 6, 2024.
5. New York Times, “Senators Urge Biden to Stop Arming Israel, Citing Violation of U.S. Aid Law," March 12, 2024.