5 Things President Biden Could Do RIGHT NOW To Save Palestinian Lives

Despite claims to the contrary, the President is not powerless.

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President Biden when he visited Israel last October.

Every time someone criticizes President Biden’s enablement of Israel’s assault on Gaza, whether it’s a one-off social media post or a city-stopping demonstration, a cascade of voices rises to defend the President. As Israel’s actions are indefensible, these advocates claim the President of the United States is unable to sway our child state. Such defenses usually follow one of two lines. Either they deny Biden has any capacity to stop the attack (“Biden is not the Prime Minister of Israel. He can’t tell them what to do!”) or they claim he is already maxing out his aid efforts (“He’s airdropping aid and building a pier to save Palestinians!”). 

Neither of these are true. Biden does hold power over Israel, and there’s much more he could do to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need. To prove it, here’s a list of five things President Biden could do right now to hamper Israel’s assault and save Gazan lives. 

#1. Reject the proposed government funding deal for one that funds UNRWA

A partial government shutdown is set to occur Friday at midnight. Congressional leaders have agreed on a funding package and are encouraging their caucuses to vote for it. Unfortunately, the current bill suspends funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) until March 2025. UNRWA, which has provided relief to Palestinian refugees for decades, was accused by Israel of having thirteen employees participate in the 10/7 attacks.  The accusations were made the same day the International Court of Justice ruled against Israel, a clear attempt at distraction. They also appear to be bogus. Senator Chris Van Hollen called the accusations “flat out lies” and UNRWA says its staff was tortured into false confessions.  

Hollen’s statements were the first time a mainstream Democrat accused Israel of lying, as opposed to using softer language such as “untrue.”

Following the accusations, thirteen countries cut funding for UNRWA, a death sentence for those who rely on it. While other aid may enter Gaza, such as Biden’s air drops or far-fetched water landing, absent UNRWA, there is no way to distribute it. This was the only organization with a robust network to get food, water, and medicine throughout Gaza. If UNRWA is left unfunded, any aid Biden delivers will only reach a fraction of those who need it. Therefore, Biden should reject the funding bill and demand one that funds UNRWA.

#2. Pick up the goddamn phone

In 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon. On August 11, they began bombing the capital city, Beirut. Enraged, then-President Ronald Reagan spent hours trying to contact Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. At 2 p.m., one of Reagan’s messages made its way to the Israeli Cabinet, which decided to end attacks unless they were “essential.” But Reagan persisted. When he eventually got Begin on the phone, their call lasted 10 minutes. After that, Israel agreed to a “complete ceasefire. Reagan said the bombings caused “needless destruction and bloodshed,” a drastic understatement for the current situation which has killed over 30,000 Palestinians and leveled Gaza.

Reagan and Israeli PM Begin.

This episode should be a stark reminder to those who claim Biden is helpless. As Reagan’s demands show, the American President holds significant power over Israeli policy. After all, if the Israeli PM ignores the President, arms shipments and diplomatic international cover could cease. Instead of stating there “is no red line” for Israel, President Biden should switch and publicly demand Israel drop not another bomb. 

#3. End arms sales to Israel.

Earlier this month, Congress was informed the White House had approved over 100 weapons transfers to Israel. Before this notice, only two arms sales had been made public. The rest were strategically divided to remain under the dollar limit that would force Biden to notify Congress. Amounting to $253.5 million in 155mm tank shells, these weapons have no defensive capabilities. They are not components of the Iron Dome, but heavy, imprecise munitions that are likely to kill civilians in densely-populated Gaza. 

Arming Israel in this manner is the sole choice of President Biden. He should reject any future transfers. 

An Israeli tank crew stands next to an arsenal of 155mm shells.

#4. Demand Israel stop delaying aid. If they continue, march it into Gaza. 

According to a recent report from the humanitarian group Refugees International, Israel is generating “famine-like conditions” in Gaza by “obstructing and undermining the humanitarian response.” According to the UN, this may be a war crime. But what is certain about the famine overtaking Gaza is that it shows Israel has no intention of complying with the ICJ’s order that it facilitate the flow of aid to malnourished Palestinians.