House GOP blasts Biden’s ultimatum to Netanyahu
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Top Republicans in the House are blasting President Biden's call for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to implement an "immediate cease-fire" to "protect innocent civilians" in Gaza.
Why it matters: GOP lawmakers argued that calls for a ceasefire prior to a hostage release is dangerous rhetoric, with some accusing Biden of turning his back on one of the U.S.'s strongest allies.
- "They're holding at least 100 hostages, including some Americans and Biden doesn't even precondition of ceasefire on on the hostages being released," House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) told Axios in an interview.
- "So it seems like he only wants to undermine Israel and has turned a blind eye to the fact that it was Hamas who started this war with the barbaric attacks on the people of Israel."
What they're saying: "Joe Biden is about to abandon Israel the same way he abandoned Afghanistan," said Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.).
- "He is caving to the Hamas sympathizers who have taken over the Democratic party and given up our strongest ally in the Middle East."
- "Let's put this idea of a ceasefire into perspective. You want Israel to stop fighting against an enemy that has no intention of ever stopping," Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) told Axios.
The other side: Democrats praised Biden's new ultimatum as necessary, arguing that the killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers signal a need for policy changes to prevent civilian deaths.
- "Netanyahu cannot continue down this path and expect the American people to support it," Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) posted on X.
- "Since Hamas' October 7th terrorist attack, a humanitarian crisis has unfolded in Gaza, and I continue to join all those mourning the immense loss of Israeli and Palestinian lives," Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) said in a statement applauding Biden's push.
The big picture: "House Republicans are not going to waver and will strongly support our ally Israel," Scalise said.
- "There's a lot of anger in a lot of communities, especially in the Jewish community, that are furious that they're seeing so many prominent Democrats walking away from their support of Israel at a critical time when everybody should be uniting."
