Thousands of Americans Sign Petition Urging Biden to Stop Sending Arms to Israel
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WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - On October 7 the Palestinian group Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, with Tel-Aviv declaring a state of war the following day. Both Israel and Palestine have so far reported hundreds of dead and thousands of injured as a result of the escalation.
Almost 4,000 people in the United States have signed the petition, launched by the peace group CODEPINK, calling on the US administration to stop sending arms to Israel.
"To save lives, to end a disgrace of your power you must stop sending weapons, funds and military support and instead support the needed conversation that brings justice and peace to the region," the petition addressed to US President Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin said. "We, the undersigned, call on you to withdraw all support for Israel and block any additional aid to the apartheid state. We oppose the plan laid out by General Austin to send troops to the Eastern Mediterranean including U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and defense munitions.
As of Tuesday afternoon, 3,794 people have signed the petition, according to the website.
Biden said on Tuesday that the United States is surging additional military systems to Israel, including ammunition and interceptors to replenish its Iron Dome air defense system, and stressed that Washington will ensure that Israel has everything it needs in its response to the attacks by Hamas.
"Your normalization of Israeli oppression is the narrative responsible for the perpetuation of the occupation of Palestine for the last 75 years. Backing the apartheid state of Israel will only lead to more violence and resistance," the petition said. "We call on you to respect and recognize the rights of Palestinians, and immediately withdraw all US support for Israel, and block any additional aid to the occupying forces. You must call for justice for Palestine that will lead to the much-needed peace in the region."
The United States is considering deploying a second aircraft carrier strike group near Israel amid escalating tensions with the Palestinian Hamas movement, a Defense Department spokesperson told Sputnik on Tuesday.
On Saturday, the Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise large-scale attack on Israel, prompting Israel to declare a state of war the following day. On Monday, Israel put the Gaza Strip under full blockade, with no food, gas or electricity supplies. Both Israel and Palestine have so far reported hundreds of dead and thousands of injured as a result of the escalation.
