(ConservativeSense.com) – Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee urged fellow lawmakers for an immediate halt on sending US humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, arguing that Hamas will inevitably get their hands on it.
On Tuesday, Blackburn made a public statement after President Joe Biden announced he would be traveling to Israel following the surprise attack by Hamas on October 7. The announcement of Biden’s visit came after Israel agreed to establish a plan to provide humanitarian aid to the people affected by their military response to Hamas in Gaza. Biden arrived on Wednesday and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Blackburn said that the US shouldn’t place “conditions” on supporting Israel based on “demands from the ‘Squad,’” the infamous group of Democrats that includes Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has been calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas as well as continued aid for Palestinians. Statements about the ongoing conflict from the Squad are even alienating them from some of their fellow Democrats, such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who’s thrown his full support behind the Israeli government’s response.
The Biden administration has also publicly supported Israel’s military response and right to defend itself against Hamas, yet cautioned Israel against occupying the Gaza Strip, which Biden said would be a mistake. The administration has repeatedly emphasized that suffering in Gaza must be minimized as Israel deals with Hamas. The situation has displaced many Palestinians as the surrounding nations, including Egypt, reject receiving them.
According to Blackburn, any humanitarian aid sent to help Palestinians “repeatedly ends up in the hands of Hamas,” who Blackburn said uses the money “to build rockets” that “kill more Israelis.” The senator said “aid for the Palestinians” from the US should stop “immediately.”
As the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) prepare for a northern ground invasion, they warn Palestinians in Gaza to head south. Hamas reportedly holds around 200 hostages taken during the attack earlier this month, some of whom are American citizens.
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