Biden administration officials have shifted from unwavering support of Israel to criticizing its starvation policy in Gaza as the enclave is officially declared to be tipping into famine. Jake Sullivan said he would support congressional votes to withhold weapons from Israel following the March ceasefire breakdown. He argued that Israel faces fewer external threats now than earlier in 2024, reducing the legitimacy of continued arms transfers. Critics contend that U.S. policies over the prior 16 months helped create the humanitarian emergency. Legislative efforts, including resolutions from Senator Bernie Sanders, seek to block certain weapons sales as famine conditions intensify.
He claims that, throughout 2024, Israel was facing threats from other countries that it doesn't face today, and that a hallmark moment was when Israel showed its obstinance in unilaterally ending the ceasefire deal in March. He also points to the UN-backed declaration of famine in Gaza last week as a sign of conditions being worse. These changes mean that current pro-Israel policies are less legitimate than the Biden administration's stance, he said.
I have in fact told a number of members [of Congress] who were thinking about the votes on these resolutions that the situation as it stands today, following the breakdown of the ceasefire in March, means that a vote to withhold weapons from Israel is a totally credible position. That is a position that I would support,
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