Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, is calling for an independent investigation into a strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen volunteers in Gaza. He is also urging the Biden administration to halt the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel, prioritizing the transfer of defensive weapons instead. Kaine’s statement aligns with that of dozens of other members of Congress, including Virginia Rep. Beyer, who signed a letter to the administration making similar requests.
Kaine, who is facing reelection this year, has faced backlash from both protestors and Republican primary contenders for his stance on the conflict in Gaza. Protestors interrupted his campaign event to call for an end to the transfer of funds and weapons to Israel, while Republican candidate Hung Cao criticized Kaine, calling him “naive” for not distinguishing between accidental civilian casualties caused by Israel and purposeful killings by Hamas.
The conflict in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians and has limited or cut off humanitarian aid to millions of residents. Kaine’s request for investigative measures and a halt to offensive weapon transfers is aimed at addressing the suffering in the region while acknowledging Israel’s need for defense against threats from groups like Hamas.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com