Sen. Tim Kaine urges Biden Administration to contribute to UN's $294 million appeal for West Bank, Gaza
WASHINGTON D.C. (WSET) — Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, a member of both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), has joined forces with 32 fellow Senators in a plea to the Biden Administration. They are urging the administration to take a leadership role within the international community by contributing to the United Nations' emergency appeal of $294 million. This funding is intended to address the immediate humanitarian needs in the West Bank and Gaza.
"As a result of the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza prompted by Hamas’ horrific terror attacks, more than 1.2 million people are in urgent need of lifesaving humanitarian assistance," the senators wrote. "More than one million people have fled the violence, stretching the already strained ability of the United Nations and humanitarian partners on the ground to provide the food, medical treatment, and shelter they need to survive."
"We support Israel’s right to defend its people against the brutal attacks carried out by Hamas. Hamas knew that the Israeli government would have to respond to the unconscionable murder and hostage-taking of its citizens and thus bears the blame for initiating this conflict. We also know there are many innocent Palestinians in Gaza who do not support Hamas and urgently need help as they seek to flee the fighting," the senators continued.
The senators highlighted the dire situation facing innocent civilians in Gaza, writing, “More than one million people in Gaza have fled their homes in search of safety, with nearly half of those taking shelter in UN facilities. The United Nations estimates that Gaza will run out of food and water within days. Healthcare facilities are overwhelmed, running desperately short on supplies and impacted by the lack of electricity. The humanitarian needs on the ground have dramatically increased over the past week, and conditions will likely continue to deteriorate in the days and weeks ahead.”
“We therefore urge you to join the international community in answering the call from the United Nations by contributing toward this lifesaving $294 million appeal, and ask that you work with the UN and its partners to ensure that the assistance reaches the intended recipients without diversion or delay,” the senators concluded.
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In the wake of the devastating terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians, Senator Kaine says he is committed to ensuring that Israel has the necessary resources to defend itself. He has been advocating for humanitarian assistance and protection for civilians in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. Additionally, Senator Kaine is actively working to confirm President Biden's nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, along with other U.S. ambassador nominees for Egypt and Lebanon, as well as the State Department's Counterterrorism Coordinator position. He has also been pressing the governments of Egypt and Qatar to provide assistance in securing the release of Israelis, Americans, and others who are being held hostage in Gaza by Hamas.
You can read the full text of the letter below: