Biden faces bipartisan pushback over threat to cut off weapons for Israel

Brad Schneider

Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Ways and Means Committees, said in a Friday statement that he agrees with the administration’s “desire to help bring a sustainable pause to the fighting in Gaza” and bring the remaining 130 hostages home.

He also said that he supports efforts to “minimize civilian harm” while working to eliminate Hamas and “end its reign of terror.”

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“And while I am grateful for all President Biden has done since October 7th to support Israel’s security and increase humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza, I am deeply concerned about the Administration’s recent decision to pause a shipment of weapons as well as the President’s comments about withholding security assistance to Israel,” Schneider stated. 

“I fear the U.S. is sending dangerous mixed messages, not just to the government and people of Israel, but also to Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, about our support for our ally at its most critical time of need,” he continued. 

The Democratic representative disclosed that he had spoken with senior White House and National Security Council officials about the administration’s actions. The officials assured Schneider that the administration maintain an “ironclad” commitment to providing Israel with material support to defeat Hamas and bring the hostages home.

“We must work to urgently bring this war to an end. We must rescue the hostages, dramatically increase and sustain aid entering the strip, and make sure Hamas is not only defeated but that it can neither rise again to oppress the people of Gaza nor threaten Israel’s national security,” Schneider stated. 

“The U.S. must neither weaken Israel’s defense and deterrence capabilities nor compromise Israel’s negotiating position vis-a-vis Hamas. I will continue to urge the Administration to follow that track.”