President Joe Biden’s top security adviser declined to rule out the possibility of imposing conditions on aid to Israel Sunday after the president toyed with the idea on Friday.
“I think the President really couldn’t have been more clear when he answered that question,” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, repeatedly declining to give a straight answer.
“Is he open to that?”, host Kristen Welker demanded.
“He’s going to continue to focus on what’s going to generate revenue,” Sullivan replied, declining to clarify or dismiss that notion.
Since the end of World War II, the US has given Israel over $260 billion in aid, more than any other country. During fiscal year 2022, the US spent about $3.2 billion on the country’s military, according to government statistics.
Last year the US gave $148 million to the West Bank and Gaza, less than 20 percent of the aid that went to Israel.
On Friday, during a news conference, Biden was asked about how some members of his own party wanted conditions placed on aid to the staunch US ally.
“Well, I think that’s a worthwhile thought, but I don’t think if I had started with that, we would have gotten to where we are,” Biden said in response at the time.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan refused to rule out conditions for aid to Israel.REUTERS
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who caucuses with Democrats, has called for aid to depend on Israel supporting a two-state solution and ending the blockade of Gaza.
Other progressive members of the Democratic Party in the House, including members of the so-called “Squad” have called for a change in behavior from Israel as well.
The administration has taken credit for the four-day lull in fighting between Israel and Hamas over the Gaza Strip, which began last Friday.
Since then, Hamas has released dozens of hostages and the administration hopes more will be released soon.
Sullivan expressed confidence that the lull in fighting could be extended.
President Biden has reaffirmed his support for Israel as it fights Hamas.AFP via Getty Images
“I think it’s certainly a possibility, and we’d like to see it happen,” Sullivan said.
He stressed that “the ball is in Hamas’s court” and it will depend on whether the terrorist group continues to release hostages.
Aid has started pouring into the besieged Gaza Strip since the agreement was made.
The three American hostages are expected to be released soon. One of them will likely be released on Sunday, according to Sullivan.
“We have reason to believe that one of those Americans will be released today but until we see him safely out of Gaza in the hands of the authorities…then we can’t be sure,” Sullivan said.
He said he was not in a position to confirm whether the individual was Abigail Mor Edan, the 4-year-old in custody on Friday.
An Israeli soldier stands aboard an armored personnel carrier near the Israel-Gaza border on the Israeli side during a temporary ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.REUTERS
Without revealing a specific timeline, Sullivan explained that the administration is “hopeful” that he will be released.
His parents were killed during the October 7 surprise attack by Hamas on Israel.
Before the release of the hostages, there were about 240 detained, including at least nine American citizens and one legal permanent resident, according to officials.
Biden has sought to get Congress to pass an additional $106 billion aid package for Israel, Ukraine and Indo-Pacific allies.
The measure includes about $14.3 billion in support for Israel. House Republicans have sought to “branch out” that support and receive separate Israeli aid coupled with spending cuts.
President Biden urges Congress to provide additional aid to Israel.AFP via Getty Images
Earlier that month, House Republicans passed a standalone $14.5 billion package to Israel minus spending cuts that had been blocked by the Senate.
Congress is expected to wrestle with the issue when it reconvenes this week after the Thanksgiving break.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
