Biden complicates Congress’ calculus on Israel aid

• But Democrats have grown increasingly uneasy with unconditional aid to Israel in recent months as the casualty count in Gaza has risen.

Driving the news: In a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, Biden said an "immediate ceasefire" is needed to "protect innocent civilians," Axios' Barak Ravid reported.

• Biden also stressed that Israel needs to lay out "concrete and measurable steps" for protecting aid workers and addressing the humanitarian crisis — a demand amplified by the recent deaths of seven World Central Kitchen workers.
• Biden "made clear that U.S. policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel's immediate action on these steps," the White House said.

The latest: Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) a Jewish progressive who signed onto Democrats' discharge petition to force a vote on a $95 billion Senate foreign aid bill, lamented in an interview on Thursday that the bill includes "the same old money to Israel."

• "I don't see that as something that can be included in that package," she told Axios. "I'm not against the defensive weapons ... but, no, I think we should not be contributing more to this destruction of life."
• Schakowsky added she feels "very strongly" about conditioning aid to Israel and "I think a lot of people … feel that way."
• Other progressives voiced similar sentiments. "Biden knows the United States has a serious role to play in order for major course correcting to take place," Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) said in a statement.

Zoom in: Schakowsky and Reps. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) and Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) are circulating a draft letter addressed to Biden calling to halt weapons transfers to Israel in response to the World Central Kitchen strike.

• "In light of the recent strike against aid workers and the ever-worsening humanitarian crisis, we believe it is unjustifiable to approve these weapons transfers," they wrote.

The other side: Pro-Israel lawmakers in both parties hit back at Biden's comments.

• Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.). said he supports minimizing casualties in Gaza and sending aid to Palestinians, but "any attempt to fundamentally undermine the U.S.-Israel relationship will only serve to benefit Hamas."
• Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) called Biden's remarks "terrible," telling Axios, "Israel has every right to destroy Hamas after the 7 Oct massacre. If someone did that to us, like 9/11, we'd do everything to destroy the threat."

Between the lines: Asked if Biden's comments to Netanyahu make it harder to pass an aid package, a House Republican told Axios, "It does."

• "His equivocation is more about Democratic politics than good foreign policy," the lawmaker added.

Yes, but: Not every pro-Israel member is pushing back. "I appreciate the president's frustration with Prime Minister Netanyahu," said Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), who plans to advocate for Israel aid on the Hill next week.

• Schneider argued Israel can both fight Hamas and protect civilians and "it's right that the United States expect, indeed demand, that of Israel."
• He added lawmakers were "shocked" by the World Central Kitchen incident, which, he said, "draws on a lot of emotions."

What to watch: Johnson has signaled the House will take up aid to Israel and Ukraine when it returns from its Easter recess next week.

• He will have an enormous lift in getting the two-thirds majority he needs to pass any package, with a group of House Democrats now demanding an additional $9 billion in humanitarian aid to various global hot spots.

The bottom line: "I mean, what other leverage does the United States have? To scold? Bibi doesn't give a damn about scolding," Schakowsky said of U.S. aid to Israel.

• "That's it, really. That's all we have."