Elham Asaad Buaras
On April 20, the House of Representatives in the US approved legislation allocating $17 billion in defence assistance to Israel and approximately £2 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza.
Approximately $5.2 billion of the aid allocated to Israel will be used to replenish and improve its missile and rocket defence capabilities. Another $3.5 billion is earmarked for the acquisition of advanced weapons systems, while $1 billion is designated to bolster weapons production. Additionally, $4.4 billion is allocated for various other defence supplies and services provided to Israel. Approximately $2.4 billion is set aside for supporting US operations in the region during the Gaza conflict.
The legislation also includes a provision barring funds from being allocated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which aids Palestinian refugees. This decision follows unproven allegations from Israel suggesting that personnel from the agency were implicated in the October 7 attacks by Hamas.
Several Western donors have since resumed funding for UNRWA, which is a lifeline for nearly two million people in Gaza. Biden praised the lawmakers of both parties, saying that “at this critical inflexion point, they came together to answer history’s call.”
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the bill “demonstrates strong bipartisan support for Israel and defends Western civilization. Thank you, friends, thank you, America!”
His Defence Minister Yoav Gallant also thanked America for its “unwavering support” as Israel “faces threats from seven different fronts, including Iran.” Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, said the House’s approval of aid “sends a strong message to our enemies.”
The Palestinian presidency denounced the bill as “an act of aggression against the Palestinian people” and labelled it a “dangerous escalation.” According to Nabil Abu Rudeina, spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the funds would result in “thousands of Palestinian casualties” in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.
Several dozen Democrats voted against the bill aiding Israel as they demanded an end to the offensive on Gaza.
Photo: US President, Joe Biden and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Credit: U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv/Wikimedia )
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