A group of U.S. Congress members who are veterans urged President Joe Biden to use “all our leverage” to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to change a military strategy killing many thousands of civilians in Gaza. “The mounting civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis are unacceptable and not in line with American interests; nor do they advance the cause of security for our ally Israel,” six lawmakers, all Democratic representatives, said in an open letter to Biden. The six are Jason Crow, a Bronze Star recipient and former Army Ranger; Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy pilot; Chrissy Houlahan, a former Air Force officer; Seth Moulton, a former Marine; and Elissa Slotkin and Abigail Spanberger, former CIA officers.
Quick Read
- Veteran Lawmakers Urge Biden to Act: A group of U.S. Congress members, all military veterans, calls on President Biden to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to alter military strategy in Gaza.
- Concern Over Civilian Casualties: The lawmakers express concern about the high civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, deeming it contrary to American interests and harmful to Israel’s security.
- Background of Lawmakers: The group includes Jason Crow (Army Ranger and Bronze Star recipient), Mikie Sherrill (former Navy pilot), Chrissy Houlahan (former Air Force officer), Seth Moulton (former Marine), and Elissa Slotkin and Abigail Spanberger (former CIA officers).
- Congressional Influence: These representatives are members of key congressional committees, including armed services, intelligence, and foreign affairs.
- Experience in Counterterrorism: The lawmakers draw on their experiences in fighting terrorism, emphasizing that military force alone cannot defeat terror ideologies.
- Call for Immediate Strategy Shift: They urge Biden to use U.S. influence to prompt an immediate change in Israel’s military approach in Gaza.
The Associated Press has the story:
US veterans in Congress urge Biden to push Israel to limit civilian harm
Newslooks- Washington (AP)
A group of U.S. Congress members who are veterans urged President Joe Biden to use “all our leverage” to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to change a military strategy killing many thousands of civilians in Gaza.
“The mounting civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis are unacceptable and not in line with American interests; nor do they advance the cause of security for our ally Israel,” six lawmakers, all Democratic representatives, said in an open letter to Biden.
The letter adds to pressure from Biden’s own party in Congress to push Netanyahu to rein in a massive air and ground campaign The lawmakers sit on armed services, intelligence and foreign affairs committees in Congress.
“Some of us also spent years fighting America’s war on terror. We know from personal and often painful experience that you can’t destroy a terror ideology with military force alone,” the lawmakers wrote. “Accordingly, we urge you to continue to use all our leverage to achieve an immediate and significant shift of military strategy and tactics in Gaza.”
