Despite growing calls to restrict US assistance to Israel over alleged human rights abuses in Gaza, President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed into law a $94 billion foreign funding bill that includes $17 billion in additional aid to Israel. The passage of the bill, which also provides funding for Ukraine and Taiwan, ends a months-long legislative impasse in Washington over foreign aid.
Biden hailed the passage of the bill as a “good day for world peace,” saying that the measure makes the United States safer. However, Palestinian rights advocates were quick to denounce the measure, stressing that Israel stands accused of committing genocide against Palestinians.
The $17 billion in additional aid for Israel comes despite growing calls from some members of Congress to restrict US assistance to the country over its treatment of Palestinians. In recent months, Israel has come under fire for its use of excessive force in Gaza, where the Israeli military has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians.
Biden has defended the aid to Israel, saying that it is necessary to help Israel defend itself against Iran. However, critics argue that the aid is a blank check that allows Israel to continue its occupation of Palestinian territories and commit human rights abuses against Palestinians.
The foreign funding bill also includes $61 billion for Ukraine and $9 billion for humanitarian assistance around the world, some of which can go to Gaza. Biden said that the US will “immediately secure that aid and surge it, including food, medical supplies, clean water” to Gaza.
“And Israel must make sure all this aid reaches the Palestinians in Gaza without delay,” Biden said.
Israel has been imposing a siege on Gaza for years, severely restricting the entry of food and other vital supplies, bringing the territory of more than 2 million people to the verge of famine. In a statement on April 4, Biden rebuked Israel, suggesting that Washington would reconsider its support for the Israeli government if it does not allow more aid to reach Gaza.
However, Israel has continued to restrict the entry of aid into Gaza, and has intensified its attacks on the territory. This week, more than 300 bodies were discovered in mass graves near the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, where the Israeli army had recently conducted an operation.
The Biden administration has muted its criticism of Israel as tensions between the US ally and Iran intensified in recent weeks. Instead, Washington has repeatedly asserted that its support for Israel remains “ironclad.” Iran had launched hundreds of drones and missiles against Israel on April 13 in retaliation for a deadly Israeli air raid against Tehran’s consulate in Damascus. Pentagon officials say that US forces in the region helped Israel shoot down most of the Iranian projectiles.
On Wednesday, Biden stressed US support for Israel against Iran. “I will always make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Iran and terrorists it supports,” he said.
The passage of the foreign funding bill is a sign that the Biden administration is committed to maintaining a strong relationship with Israel, despite concerns about human rights abuses in Gaza. However, it remains to be seen whether the US will continue to provide Israel with a blank check, or whether it will take steps to pressure Israel to improve its human rights record.
