Ten GOP senators urge top Democrat Chuck Schumer to REJECT Biden’s $9BILLION Gaza humanitarian aid ask because it will be a ‘gift’ to Hamas murderers
Republican senators are demanding that Democratic leader Chuck Schumer reject President Biden’s request for $9 billion in humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, saying it will end up in the hands of Hamas terrorists.
Lawmakers warned in a letter to Schumer on Tuesday, obtained by DailyMail.com, that “sending aid to the Palestinians in Gaza is akin to funneling aid directly to Hamas” because there is no way for the US to ensure proper oversight to hold on to their funds. Moreover, Hamas has stolen aid from the UN Palestinian refugee agency for the past decade, and as recently as last week.
The senators further said the aid will “inevitably end up in the hands” of Hamas, a “genocidal Palestinian terrorist organization” and will only strengthen their ability to “kill more Jews.”
“Sending aid to the Palestinians would be a gift to Hamas, the same group that has slaughtered more than 1,400 Israelis and kidnapped more than 200 hostages, including Americans,” they say.
Biden’s $106 billion request to Congress for aid to Israel and Ukraine and other humanitarian purposes comes after Hamas assassins killed more than 1,400 civilians on Oct. 7 — including more than 30 Americans.
Hundreds of hostages have been taken and remain in Gaza. Israeli forces stage a ground invasion to rescue the prisoners.
Civil defense teams carry out operations with the help of civilians on the ground after an Israeli airstrike causes destruction in Rafah, Gaza
Palestinians search for victims at the site of Israeli attacks on homes in the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip
Schumer has said the Senate ‘must approve’ Biden’s additional request as soon as possible
Thousands of families and individuals in Gaza have been driven from their homes and are trying to leave the small strip of land. Israel has warned all civilians to evacuate as they continue their advance.
That includes as many as 600 Americans currently in the Gaza Strip. Reports indicate that citizens are running out of clean water and other supplies.
The Pentagon said Hamas will not let Americans trapped in Gaza escape. The US, Israel and their allies are working to allow civilians to leave Gaza through the Rafah crossing into Egypt.
Schumer has said the Senate “must approve” Biden’s additional request as quickly as possible.
“And in Gaza, we must ensure that humanitarian aid reaches civilians who urgently need it,” he said in the Senate on Monday.
“This was one of the things that I strongly urged that President Biden include in his supplemental request,” he continued.
Biden’s aid request includes $60 billion to support Ukraine in its war with Russia and $14 billion for Israel.
Another $14 billion will be allocated to border security, $10 billion to humanitarian assistance and $7 billion to the Indo-Pacific region, including to strengthen Taiwan.
Biden addressed the American people from the Oval Office last Thursday evening and urged Congress to pass the spending package.
New Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a House bill that would give $14 billion to Israel, drawing money from the already passed Inflation Reduction Act.
Biden’s aid request includes $60 billion to support Ukraine in its war with Russia and $14 billion for Israel.
Democrats have pushed back, saying Johnson is “playing politics” with much-needed money.
The bill is “clearly intended to divide Congress,” Schumer said Tuesday.
The top Democrat is also working to confirm Biden’s pick for U.S. ambassador to Israel — which is currently empty.
Jack Lew has drawn criticism from Republicans who say he is too soft on Iran.
Republican Sens. Marco Rubio, Florida, Markwayne Mullin, Oklahoma, Rick Scott, Florida, Steve Daines, Mont., Cynthia Lummis, WY, Pete Ricketts, Neb., John Cornyn, Texas, Ron Johnson Wis., and Tommy Tuberville, Ala., signed also received the letter on Tuesday.