The ​ongoing ​Israeli ​​military ​offensive ​in Gaza ​​has triggered ​an ​increase in ​​criticism​, ​especially from ​top ​​Democrats ​who ​are urging ​President ​Biden ​to ​​halt ​the supply ​of weapons ​to ​​Israel​. ​​

________________________________________________________________________

• Nancy Pelosi joins 36 Congressional Democrats urging Biden to halt weapons transfers to Israel.

• The ​​call ​comes ​amid mounting ​​criticism of ​the ​Israeli ​assault ​on ​​Gaza ​that has ​killed ​​over ​33​,​000

• Democrats ​​cite ​a ​worsening ​humanitarian ​crisis​​, a ​​recent ​airstrike that ​​killed ​seven ​aid ​workers​.​​​

________________________________________________________________________

Pelosi Joins Congressional Democrats Calling for Halt to U.S. Weapon Transfers to Israel

On Friday, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, along with 36 other Congressional Democrats, sent a letter to President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, demanding an immediate halt to the transfer of U.S. weapons during the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Why This Matters

Israel’s recent military operation in Gaza, which came as a response to the rocket attack by Hamas on October 7th, has been widely criticized by the international community. 

According to the Gaza health ministry, the conflict has resulted in over 33,000 deaths so far, with the densely populated coastal strip being severely affected by hunger and deprivation.

Pelosi’s ​support ​​for ​blocking ​arms ​shipments ​to ​Israel shows ​that ​this ​position ​is ​becoming ​increasingly ​popular ​among ​Democrats​. ​

​As a ​veteran ​party ​leader ​and ​a ​​trusted ​ally of President ​Biden​, ​her ​stance ​carries ​significant ​weight​​​​.

The Letter’s Message

The Democrats’ letter specifically called on the Biden administration to investigate the Israeli airstrike on Monday that killed seven staffers of the humanitarian group World Central Kitchen. 

It stated:

“In light of the recent strike against aid workers and the ever-worsening humanitarian crisis, we believe it is unjustifiable to approve these weapons transfers.”

In addition to Pelosi, signatories included prominent progressives like Reps. Barbara Lee, Rashida Tlaib, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Mounting Pressure on Israel

On Friday, the Israeli military disciplined officers over “serious errors and breaches of procedure” in the fatal airstrike on aid workers. 

President Biden also urged Netanyahu in a call on Thursday to better protect civilians, warning of potential changes to U.S. policy.

The​​ ​conflict’s ​​devastating ​toll ​continues to ​​​mount​​​​. 

Hamas’ initial rocket barrage killed 1,200 Israelis, according to Israeli counts. 

Israel’s ​subsequent ​Gaza ​assault has displaced ​​nearly all ​of the ​territory’s ​2​.3 ​million residents​, ​drawing allegations ​of ​genocide ​that ​Israel ​denies​​​.

Famine Warnings in Gaza

United Nations agencies have raised urgent alarms about potential famine conditions in Gaza. 

In a March report, the U.N.’s Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) stated that famine is “imminent” in northern Gaza by May and could spread across the strip by July without intervention.

As civilian suffering intensifies, pressure is growing on the U.S. and allies to leverage military aid to Israel and push for a resolution to the spiraling crisis in Gaza. 

Pelosi’s​​ ​​letter ​represents ​a ​significant ​mainstream ​Democratic ​voice ​joining ​that ​call​​​​.