Senator Blackburn Criticizes $100 Million U.S. Aid to Palestinians: It Will End Up in Hamas's Hands

Marsha Blackburn, a Republican senator, issued a statement in response to President Joe Biden's remarks on Wednesday, October 18, during his visit to Israel, regarding the humanitarian aid of $100 million to Palestinians, stating that this aid will ultimately reach Hamas. On Wednesday, October 18, Senator Blackburn referred to Biden's trip to Israel and said, 'We now know that the United States is providing $100 million in humanitarian aid for Palestinians.' Criticizing this financial assistance, Senator Blackburn declared, 'We know this aid will go directly to Hamas. Just a few days ago, Hamas stole humanitarian aid - including fuel and medical supplies - from the United Nations.' She emphasized, 'We should not send American taxpayer dollars to support terrorists who are currently holding Americans hostage, and we should never condition support for Israel.' President Joe Biden, during his visit to Israel on Wednesday, October 18, once again condemned Hamas's attacks and reaffirmed America's unwavering support for Israel. He also expressed deep sorrow over the explosion at the Gaza hospital, attributing it to 'rockets from a terrorist group' while simultaneously announcing his approval of sending $100 million in humanitarian aid to assist the people of Gaza and the West Bank. The U.S. President clarified that a significant portion of Palestinians are not Hamas and that Hamas does not represent the Palestinians. He noted that Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields and places its operational centers, weapons, and tunnels in residential areas. Biden expressed his regret over the massive casualties at the Gaza hospital, stating that these casualties resulted from a mistake caused by rocket fire from 'a terrorist group in Gaza.' He stated that the United States supports the protection of civilian lives during conflicts. Biden highlighted the needs of the people of Gaza for water, medicine, food, and shelter, stating that he has asked the Israeli government to agree to send humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, and Israel has also agreed to send aid from Egypt to Gaza. Biden warned that if Hamas steals this aid, it will once again show that it does not care about the welfare of Palestinians, and residents of Gaza will face a halt in aid from the international community. Following the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, senior officials in the Biden administration, including the President himself, condemned the Hamas terrorist attack and stated that the Israeli government not only has the right but also the duty to defend its citizens, and in this regard, the United States stands with the Israeli government and people.