Key Biden administration refuses to rule out conditioning aid to Israel

President Joe Biden’s top security advisor refused to rule out the possibility of imposing conditions on aid to Israel Sunday after the president toyed with the idea on Friday.

“I thought the President really couldn’t have been clearer when he answered the question,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, repeatedly declining to give a straight answer.

“Is he open to it?,” host Kristen Welker demanded.

“He is going to continue to focus on what is going to generate results,” Sullivan replied, declining to clarify or rule out the notion.

Since the end of WWII, the US has given Israel over $260 billion in aid, more than any other nation. During fiscal year 2022, the US shelled out roughly $3.2 billion to the nation’s military, according to government statistics. 

Last year the US gave $148 million to the West Bank and Gaza, less than a 20th of the aid it dolled out to Israel.

On Friday, during a press conference, Biden was asked about how some members of his own party want conditions placed on aid to the staunch US ally.

“Well, I think that’s a worthwhile thought, but I don’t think if I started off with that we’d ever gotten to where we are today,” Biden said in response at the time.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who caucuses with Democrats, has called for aid to be contingent on Israel backing a two state solution and ending the blockade in Gaza.

Other progressive members of the Democratic Party in the House, including members of the so-called “Squad” have sought behavior changes from Israel as well.

The administration has taken some credit for a four-day pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas over the Gaza Strip, that began last Friday.

Since then, Hamas has released dozens of hostages and the administration is hopeful that more will be released soon.

Sullivan expressed optimism that the pause in fighting could be extended.

“I think it is certainly a possibility, and we would like to see that happen,” Sullivan said.

He contended that the “ball is in Hamas’ court” and will depend on whether the terrorist group continues to release hostages.

Aid has begun pouring into the beleaguered Gaza Strip since the deal was struck.

Three American hostages are expected to be released soon. One of them may even get set free on Sunday, according to Sullivan.

“We have reason to believe that one of those Americans will be released today but until we see her out safely from Gaza in the hands of the authorities…then we won’t be certain,” Sullivan said.

He said he was not in a position to confirm whether or not that individual was Abigail Mor Edan, who turned 4-years-old in captivity on Friday.

Without divulging a specific timeline, Sullivan explained that the administration is “hopeful” that she will be released.

Her parents had been killed during the fallout from the deadly Oct. 7 surprise attack by Hamas on Israel.

Prior to the release of hostages, there had been an estimated 240 held captive, including at least nine Americans and one permanent legal resident, according to officials.

Biden has been seeking to get Congress to pass a sprawling $106 billion supplemental aid package for Israel, Ukraine, and Indo Pacific allies.

That measure included around $14.3 billion in support for Israel. House Republicans have sought to “bifurcate” that support and take up the Israel aid separately coupled with spending cuts.

Earlier the month, House Republicans approved a $14.5 billion standalone package to Israel pared with spending cuts that has been blocked by the Senate.

Congress is expected to grapple with that issue when it reconvenes this week after Thanksgiving break.