Feinstein, Colleagues Introduce Resolution to Restore Humanitarian Aid to West Bank and Gaza

Statement

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) joined with Senator Jeff Merkely (D-Ore.) today to introduce a resolution to restore U.S. humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza. Feinstein and Merkely were joined on the resolution by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.).

"President Trump's refusal to provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people is a strategic mistake," said Feinstein. "Denying funding for clean water, health care and schools in the West Bank and Gaza won't make us safer. Instead it only emboldens extremist groups like Hamas and pushes peace further out of reach."

"Thousands of individuals are facing dire health and economic conditions in the West Bank and Gaza," said Merkley. "The U.S. has a long tradition as a leader in humanitarian aid that helps address the plight of victims of humanitarian crises around the world. Aid to innocent civilians should not be caught up in broader geopolitical battles. We can and should restore aid to children and other vulnerable populations at the same time as we stand steadfastly by Israel's security."

"Humanitarian aid has always been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy because it addresses the plight of innocent civilians and affirms our shared beliefs," said Coons. "It is critical that we restore lifesaving aid to the West Bank and Gaza, which Congress has already appropriated. Failing to restore this assistance will continue to contribute to a deteriorating situation in Palestinian territories and threaten the regional stability of the Middle East."

"President Trump's inhumane and dangerous decision to end all humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians -- including millions of children -- represented an unprecedented retreat from America's role in the effort to support peace and advance democratic principles in the region," said Van Hollen. "Unsurprisingly, it has only made a difficult situation even worse. The Administration's abdication of leadership means that Congress must step in and take action. Failure to provide this aid doesn't just threaten the lives of the Palestinian people, but it also puts Israel's security at greater risk and undermines regional stability."

"There are thousands of children and families in the West Bank and Gaza who need the aid the United States has historically provided," said Cortez Masto. "If we want to help Israelis and Palestinians move toward peace, we must continue to try to ease the suffering of ordinary people on both sides of the conflict."

The resolution would direct the executive branch to resume providing humanitarian aid that is distributed through non-governmental organizations, which Congress has appropriated but the Trump administration has refused to obligate. It also highlights the importance of providing critical bilateral aid that supports essential health services and provides food that benefits Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and Gaza.

The resolution is supported by numerous U.S.-based and international aid groups, including Mercy Corps, Refugees International, Catholic Relief Services, and others. A statement of support from a broad coalition of NGOs can be read here.