Letter by 88 Democratic lawmakers calls for sanctions on far-right Israeli ministers
A letter calling on President Biden to sanction far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich before he departs the White House in January has been signed by 88 Democratic lawmakers.
The letter, which was submitted on October 29 but publicised today, expressed deep concern about “the rise in settler violence, settlement expansion, and measures adopted to weaken the Palestinian Authority and otherwise destabilise” the occupied West Bank.
It said the two ministers have been fuelling violence in the occupied territory, which has consisted of multiple Israeli attacks and raids per day, during which homes are destroyed, livestock are stolen and Palestinians are killed or wounded.
“With radical officials in the Netanyahu government continuing to enable settler violence and enact annexationist policies, it is clear that further sanctions are urgently needed,” the lawmakers wrote.
Eight Jewish lawmakers are also among the signatories.
Congresswoman Tlaib calls on Blinken to resign after aid deadline passes
The first Palestinian American woman to serve in the US Congress says Antony Blinken must resign as secretary of state after his deadline for Israel to ramp up aid to Gaza passed without any consequences.
Rashida Tlaib, pointing to a picture of a starving Palestinian child, said Blinken set a 350 trucks per day goal for humanitarian aid, but only 57 trucks entered per day in October – even if official Israeli figures can be taken at face value.
“This week, Mr Speaker, Secretary Blinken exposed his lie by announcing that there will be no change to any policy, despite admitting that the Israeli government has failed to comply with all of their demands,” Tlaib said.
“Secretary Blinken has continued to lie to Congress and should resign.”
