President Joe Biden’s top security adviser refused to rule out the possibility of imposing conditions on aid to Israel on Sunday after the president mulled the idea on Friday.
“I thought the president really couldn’t have been clearer when he answered the question,” national security adviser Jake Sullivan told NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, repeatedly refusing to give a direct answer.
“Are you open to it?” host Kristen Welker asked.
“You will continue to focus on what will drive results,” Sullivan responded, refusing to clarify or dismiss the idea.
Since the end of World War II, the United States has given Israel more than $260 billion in aid, more than any other nation. During fiscal year 2022, the United States spent approximately $3.2 billion on the country’s military, according to government statistics.
Last year, the United States gave $148 million to the West Bank and Gaza, less than one-twentieth of the aid it gave to Israel.
During a news conference Friday, Biden was asked how some members of his own party want conditions placed on aid to America’s staunch ally.
“Well, I think it’s a worthwhile thought, but I don’t think if I had started with that we would have gotten to where we are today,” Biden said in response at the time.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan refused to rule out conditions for aid to Israel.REUTERS
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who is part of the Democrats, has called for the aid to be contingent on Israel supporting a two-state solution and ending the blockade on Gaza.
Other progressive members of the Democratic Party in the House, including members of the so-called “Squad,” have also sought behavioral changes from Israel.
The administration has taken some credit for a four-day pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas over the Gaza Strip, which began last Friday.
Hamas has since released dozens of hostages and the administration is hopeful that more will be freed soon.
Sullivan expressed optimism that the pause in fighting could be extended.
President Biden has affirmed his support for Israel in its fight against Hamas.AFP via Getty Images
“I think it’s certainly a possibility and we would like to see that happen,” Sullivan said.
He argued that “the ball is in Hamas’s court” and will depend on whether the terrorist group continues to release hostages.
Aid has begun arriving in the besieged Gaza Strip since the deal was reached.
Three American hostages are expected to be released soon. One of them could even 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 her safely leave Gaza in the hands of the authorities… then we won’t be safe,” Sullivan said.
He said he was not in a position to confirm whether that individual was Abigail Mor Edan, who turned 4 years in captivity on Friday.
An Israeli soldier stands in an armored personnel carrier near the Israel-Gaza border on its Israeli side during a temporary truce between Hamas and Israel.REUTERS
Without revealing a specific timeline, Sullivan explained that the administration is “hopeful” she will be released.
His parents had died in the aftermath of the deadly October 7 surprise attack by Hamas on Israel.
Before the hostages were released, there were an estimated 240 captives, including at least nine Americans and one legal permanent resident, according to officials.
Biden has been trying to get Congress to pass a sprawling $106 billion supplemental aid package for Israel, Ukraine and their Indo-Pacific allies.
That measure included about $14.3 billion in support for Israel. House Republicans have sought to “bifurcate” that support and separately accept aid to Israel along with spending cuts.
President Biden is pressing Congress to approve additional aid to Israel.AFP via Getty Images
Earlier this month, House Republicans approved a standalone $14.5 billion package for Israel, along with spending cuts that have been blocked by the Senate.
Congress is expected to take up that issue when it reconvenes this week after the Thanksgiving recess.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn