President Biden Directs US Military To Build Emergency Port In Gaza, Allowing In Critically Needed Aid Where It Is Needed Most, Just Ahead Of Ramadan

Sanders on President Biden’s Decision to Build Emergency Port in Gaza

Editor’s note: As you may already know, President Biden spoke about this plan in advance of the State of the Union address.  He is instructing the military to build a temporary port on the coast of Gaza to allow aid trucks to enter the northern area of the strip.  According to Journal Star,  “United Nations agencies and aid groups say the ongoing hostilities, the Israeli military’s refusal to facilitate deliveries, and the breakdown of order inside Gaza make it increasingly difficult to bring vital aid to much of the coastal enclave.”

WASHINGTON– Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today released the following statement on President Biden’s decision to build an emergency port to immediately deliver critical supplies to Gaza:

I welcome President Biden’s decision to direct the U.S. military to establish an emergency port on the Gaza coast to allow large quantities of food, water, medicine, and other essential supplies to be delivered directly to the people of Gaza. This is a necessary step to respond to the horrific humanitarian crisis unfolding there, and address the widespread starvation, disease, and desperation caused by this war and Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid entering the area.

But let’s be clear about why this extraordinary step is necessary: Despite months of increasingly urgent requests from the very highest officials in the U.S. government, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his extreme, right-wing government have refused to let in sufficient humanitarian aid. That has led to this incredible situation, in which a U.S. ally is using U.S. weapons and equipment to block the delivery of U.S. humanitarian aid. And now, American taxpayers have to pay even more to build a port to get aid in to starving people, because Israel won’t let it be driven safely and efficiently across the border.

Hundreds of thousands of people are starving to death – President Biden is right to act decisively to prevent a further catastrophe. But the United States provides Israel with $3.8 billion in military aid every year, and Congress is considering another $14 billion this year. It’s time we stop asking Israel to do the right thing and start telling Israel what must happen if they want the support of the United States.

Banner Image: Destruction in Gaza. Image Credit – Emad El Byed 

Senator Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders is serving his third term in the U.S. Senate after winning re-election in 2018. His previous 16 years in the House of Representatives make him the longest serving independent member of Congress in American history.