Pelosi pushes for independent commission to examine World Central Kitchen strike
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) this week pushed for an independent commission to look into the Israeli strike that killed seven aid workers with the charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) earlier this month.
Pelosi said in an interview with MSNBC on Wednesday that she signed onto a letter with more than 50 other Democrats calling to withhold weapons until an independent commission can investigate the WCK strike.
"The letter is simple: until you have an investigation, we should withhold," she said. "I think it's a very contained letter. There are other people who have different standards for what we should be doing in terms of offensive weapons."
There has been growing frustration in the Democratic Party over Israel's war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, where more than 33,000 people have been killed in just more than six months of fighting.
Other Democrats have also called for an independent investigation into the WCK strike, including Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), a key ally of President Biden.
But the White House has signaled that it will not back calls for an independent investigation into the strike.
Israel fired two officers last week after finding the strike should not have occurred. A preliminary investigation found that the Israeli forces responsible for the strike mistakenly thought the WCK convoy carried Hamas fighters.
Biden held a tense phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the strike, and just hours later, Israel announced the opening of a new border crossing in northern Gaza.
Israel has been accused of holding back aid from Gaza, and Pelosi on Wednesday repeated calls to let more food and water into the strip.
"There are ways to do this that are not dehydrating or withholding of food and nutrition and the rest from children and families," she said.
In a separate MSNBC interview Tuesday, Pelosi cited the Leahy Laws, which prohibit military assistance to foreign countries that violate human rights, when asked about withholding weapons to Israel.
"If we give you assistance," she said, "you cannot interfere with our giving humanitarian assistance."
Still, Pelosi said she does not support a blanket restriction on aid to Israel, repeating that her letter is tied solely to an independent investigation of the WCK strike.
Pelosi has also joined other Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in criticizing Netanyahu's leadership during the war, a point she doubled down on Tuesday. She agreed with Schumer that Israel should hold new elections.
"He's only interested in his own political survival," she said. "Netanyahu is a tragedy."
Date: |
Filter
-
Chef José Andrés says aid workers killed by Israeli airstrikes represented the 'best of humanity'
The founder of World Central Kitchen says the seven aid workers killed by Israeli airstrikes represented the “best of humanity.”ABC News - Top stories - Israel -
World Central Kitchen resuming Gaza operations weeks after deadly strike
Nonprofit organization World Central Kitchen is set to resume its aid work in Gaza, weeks after seven aid workers were killed.CBS News - World -
Doug Emhoff to attend memorial for World Central Kitchen workers killed in Israeli strike
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will represent the Biden administration at a memorial Thursday for the seven World Central Kitchen aid workers killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza earlier this month, according to a White House official.NBC News - Politics - Israel -
Doug Emhoff to attend memorial for World Central Kitchen workers killed in Israeli strike
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will represent the Biden administration at a memorial Thursday for the seven World Central Kitchen aid workers killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza earlier this month, according to a White House official.NBC News - Top stories - Israel -
World Central Kitchen to resume food aid in Gaza
The aid organisation had stopped distributing food in Gaza after an Israeli strike killed seven workers.BBC News - Top stories -
World Central Kitchen Will Resume Aid Operations in Gaza
The organization halted aid efforts in the enclave after seven of its workers were killed in an Israeli attack. It said it would resume operations with a local team of Palestinian aid workers.The New York Times - World -
World Central Kitchen Will Resume Operations in Gaza
The organization halted aid efforts in the enclave after seven of its workers were killed in an Israeli attack. It said it would resume operations with a local team of Palestinian aid workers.The New York Times - Top stories -
José Andrés Eulogizes 7 World Central Kitchen Workers Killed in Gaza
The chef voiced “regret, sorrow and anger” at a Washington memorial for the workers slain while delivering food for his World Central Kitchen.The New York Times - Top stories -
World Central Kitchen to resume Gaza aid work after death of staff
Yahoo News - World -
World Central Kitchen to resume aid in Gaza following fatal airstrike
Yahoo News - World
More from The Hill
-
Riot police drag away protesters at University of Texas as Gaza tensions flare
State troopers in riot gear moved on Monday afternoon to clear out students attempting to occupy a quad at the University of Texas at Austin. Dozens of protesters were arrested on site, escalating tensions that began on Wednesday when the ...The Hill - Politics -
Jill Stein accuses police of assaulting her at protest
Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein on Sunday alleged police assaulted her and other demonstrators shortly before being arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest on the campus of Washington University in St. Louis. “Basically, the police ...The Hill - Politics -
US finds Israeli military units violated human rights
Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security The Big Story US finds Israeli military units violated human rights The State Department has determined that at least five Israeli ...The Hill - Politics - Israel -
Evening Report — Protests continue to spread on college campuses
A quick recap of the day and what to look forward to tomorrow {beacon} Evening Report © AP Pro-Palestinian protests escalate on college campuses Hundreds of students have been arrested on college campuses across the country as ...The Hill - Politics -
FCC fines wireless carriers
Presented by Microsoft — {beacon} Technology Technology PRESENTED BY The Big Story FCC fines major mobile carriers $200M The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a fine totaling $200 million to the nation’s four largest mobile ...The Hill - Politics