https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/israel-humanitarian-aid

It's Time to Stop Simply Asking #Israel to Do the Right Thing
#BERNIESANDERS
Jan 27, 2024

..."For months, the United States government has pleaded with Israel to take urgent steps to avoid further civilian death. But despite these requests, including from President Biden himself, #Netanyahu has done nothing.

That has to change now. Tens of thousands of lives hang in the balance, and every day matters.
...

As part of that effort, I have tried to force what I consider to be a very modest step in the US Senate: a resolution requiring the state department to report on any human rights violations that may have occurred in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The resolution is based on longstanding US law requiring that any security assistance or military equipment provided to any country be used in line with internationally recognized human rights.

Sadly, only 11 senators voted for this first congressional effort to hold Israel accountable, but the momentum is shifting. More and more Americans – and more elected officials – understand that we cannot continue turning a blind eye to the suffering in Gaza. Given the scale of the disaster unfolding with American bombs and military equipment, Congress must act.

Prime Minister Netanyahu recently said, while rejecting a two-state solution, that “the prime minister needs to be able to say no, even to our best friends”. Well, now is the time for the United States to say NO to Netanyahu.

Congress is now considering a supplemental bill with another $14bn in military aid for Israel. The United States must make it clear to Netanyahu that the we will not provide another dollar to support his inhumane, illegal war. We must use our leverage to demand an end to the indiscriminate bombing, a humanitarian ceasefire to allow aid to flow to those who are suffering and to secure the release of the more than 130 hostages still being held in Gaza. And we must demand that the Israeli government take steps to lay the groundwork for a two-state solution.

The United States must stop asking Israel to do the right thing. It’s time to start telling Israel it must do these things or it will lose our support."...