Washington, D.C., USA – Senior US Democrats are increasing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reconsider a planned offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians are seeking refuge.
Vice President Kamala Harris stated that the Joe Biden White House is keeping all options on the table regarding potential consequences if Netanyahu proceeds with the assault, despite a previous rejection by the Israeli leader of similar requests from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Harris emphasized that a major military operation in Rafah would be a grave error, highlighting the lack of safe havens for the approximately one and a half million people in the area who were directed there.
Progressive members of the Democratic Party have joined the chorus of opposition to Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, raising concerns about the humanitarian impact of the five-month conflict.
New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians, calling for the suspension of US military aid to the country. The congresswoman also criticized Israel for impeding humanitarian assistance to Gaza, leading to a dire famine crisis.
In response to US pressure, Netanyahu reiterated his stance that targeting Hamas in Rafah is necessary, even if done without American support. However, the Anti-Defamation League challenged Ocasio-Cortez’s accusations of genocide, stating that Israel’s objectives are focused on dismantling Hamas’s operations.
Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia, a prominent Black Democrat, emphasized the moral dilemma of entering Rafah and urged for a reconsideration of the potential assault, citing the catastrophic consequences on innocent civilians.
Warnock acknowledged the complex realities Israel faces in a dangerous region while advocating for a balanced approach that upholds both Israel’s right to self-defense and American values in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.