Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker and Democratic ally of President Joe Biden, endorsed a letter from numerous Democratic lawmakers to both the president and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, advocating for a cessation of arms deliveries to Israel. This move comes amid mounting global disapproval of Israel’s military actions in Gaza following an attack by Hamas on October 7, which has led to severe humanitarian issues, including a reported death toll exceeding 33,000 and widespread famine in Gaza.
Pelosi’s backing of the call to stop arms shipments to Israel indicates a growing acceptance of this stance within the Democratic Party. The letter, signed by Pelosi and 36 other Democrats, including Representatives Barbara Lee, Rashida Tlaib, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, urges the Biden administration to investigate an Israeli airstrike that resulted in the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen staff members.
The Israeli military has since taken disciplinary actions, including the dismissal of two officers and formal reprimands to senior commanders, after an investigation into the incident revealed significant operational failures. Meanwhile, discussions between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have emphasized the necessity for Israel to enhance civilian protection measures, hinting at a potential shift in U.S. policy.
The conflict, ignited by Hamas’ attack on October 7, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli casualties according to Israeli sources, has drastically affected Gaza’s population of 2.3 million, nearly all of whom have been displaced. Israel faces accusations of genocide, which it vehemently denies, in the wake of its intensive military response to the Hamas-led governance of Gaza.
