Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war on Thursday, becoming the first senator to demand an end to the Jewish state’s military operations against the Palestinian terror group.
Durbin (D-Ill.), the Senate’s second-highest ranking member, stated that his support for the cease-fire was contingent on the “immediate release” of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“I think it is,” the Illinois Democrat said during an interview with CNN when asked if it was time for a truce. “At least in the context of both parties agreeing. For example, the release of those kidnapped should be part of this — immediate release.”
“That should be the start of it,” Durbin added. “Efforts should be made to engage in conversation between Israel and Palestine.”
Durbin said his support for the ceasefire was contingent on the “immediate release” of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Reuters
The senator’s support for the ceasefire was a departure from language already used by President Biden, who on Wednesday called for a “pause” in the fight to “give time to get the prisoners out.”
Durbin, 78, said he had “not been in communication with the White House” about a possible suspension of hostilities.
Durbin, who last month was among 99 senators who signed a resolution “standing with Israel against terrorism,” argued that the conflict in the Middle East had reached an “intolerable level.”
Several left-wing House lawmakers have been demanding a ceasefire in the war for weeks. MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
“Let’s face it, this has been going on for decades,” he said. “When it was rational from the beginning, it has now reached an intolerable level. We need to have a resolution in the Middle East that gives some promise for the future.”
Several far-left lawmakers, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and pro-Palestinian protesters have been demanding a ceasefire for weeks.
The United Nations has also passed a non-binding resolution calling for a “humanitarian ceasefire” in Gaza.
Senator Chris Murphy urged Israel to “reconsider its approach” in Gaza. AP
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) all called for a ceasefire on Thursday as well, urging Israel to “reconsider his approach” in Gaza amid what he called “an unacceptable level of civilian danger.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Thursday called demands for a cease-fire by Democrats “disturbing” and unnecessary as the lower house considers a bill to provide $14.3 billion in military aid to Israel.
“There was a ceasefire because before October 7, and Hamas broke it, and Israel suffered an unspeakable act of evil,” Johnson said.
“Israel does not need a ceasefire. It needs its allies to stop with politics and provide support now, and that is what we are doing,” he added.
Israel declared war on Hamas in response to the October 7 terrorist attack on the Jewish state that left more than 1,400 people dead.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
