SCHNEIDER RESPONDS TO DELAY IN US WEAPONS SHIPMENT TO ISRAEL
Highland Park, IL -- Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), member of the House Foreign Affairs and Ways and Means Committees and co-chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Abraham Accords Caucus, released the following statement responding to the recent delay in a U.S. weapons shipment to Israel:
“I share the Administration’s desire to help bring a sustainable pause to the fighting in Gaza and bring home the more than 130 hostages, including 8 Americans. I also agree we must do everything possible to minimize civilian harm while taking the necessary steps to defeat Hamas and end its reign of terror.
“And while I am grateful for all President Biden has done since October 7th to support Israel’s security and increase humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza, I am deeply concerned about the Administration’s recent decision to pause a shipment of weapons as well as the President’s comments about withholding security assistance to Israel. I fear the U.S. is sending dangerous mixed messages, not just to the government and people of Israel, but also to Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, about our support for our ally at its most critical time of need.
“It is critically important the U.S.’s position of support for Israel, our most important ally in the Middle East, is ironclad and crystal clear. Hamas leaders need to hear and believe that their days of safety in Rafah are numbered. They must feel intense pressure from the U.S., Egypt and Qatar to agree to what Secretary of State Blinken said was a ‘very generous’ offer.
“Today, I spoke with senior White House and National Security Council officials seeking clarification on the Administration’s actions following yesterday’s reports. I was assured that the Administration’s commitment to providing material support for Israel so that it can defeat Hamas and bring the hostages home remains ironclad.
“We must work to urgently bring this war to an end. We must rescue the hostages, dramatically increase and sustain aid entering the Strip, and make sure Hamas is not only defeated but that it can neither rise again to oppress the people of Gaza nor threaten Israel’s national security. The U.S. must neither weaken Israel’s defense and deterrence capabilities, nor compromise Israel’s negotiating position vis-a-vis Hamas. I will continue to urge the Administration to follow that track.”
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