Progressives are doubling down on their demand that Israel agree to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza even after the White House helped broker a hostage deal with Hamas that will result in a temporary pause in fighting.
Israel agreed to a four- to five-day cessation of hostilities as part of the agreement, which leading Democrats have hailed as an important step toward bringing home the 240 or so hostages being held by Hamas. At least 50 are to be turned over in exchange for about 150 Palestinians in Israeli prisons.
ANATOMY OF A DEAL: HOW THE ISRAEL-HAMAS HOSTAGE NEGOTIATIONS PLAYED OUT
The Oct. 7 massacre and Israel’s military offensive highlighted internal divisions within the Democratic Party. Progressive lawmakers have vocally opposed Israel’s response to the attack, which marked the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, while most in the party have emphasized Israel’s right to defend itself even as they call for restraint.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), the only Palestinian American in Congress, has led the charge on Capitol Hill to pressure the Biden administration and others in the party to back a ceasefire. She said in a statement on Tuesday responding to news of the hostage deal that a temporary break in fighting is “not enough.”
“When this short-term agreement expires, the bombing of innocent civilians will continue,” Tlaib said. “We need a permanent cease-fire that saves lives, brings all the hostages and those arbitrarily detained home, and puts an end to this horrific violence.”
Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), another leader in the ceasefire push, called the agreement a “welcome and necessary start” that nonetheless falls short of their ultimate goal of an end to the hostilities.
“It further proves the effectiveness of de-escalation and diplomacy — not military force — as a means of saving lives and affirms why we must keep up our push for a permanent ceasefire,” Bush said in a Tuesday evening statement.
While the progressives have a base of support in the Democratic Party, they do not have most elected Democrats behind them. Senate Democrats ranging from Israel loyalists to critics hailed the hostage deal as a means by which to get struggling Gazans much-needed humanitarian aid.
Even among those who have publicly stated that too many Gazans have died since Israel launched its military offensive, not a single member of the Senate has called for a permanent, unconditional ceasefire.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), the de facto leader of the progressive movement, has said that an unconditional cessation of hostilities would only benefit Hamas and maintains his support for a two-state solution. As part of that, though, he has criticized Israel’s right-wing government and approach to diplomacy.
Sanders wrote in an op-ed published Wednesday that he supports a “significant, extended humanitarian pause so that badly needed aid — food, water, medicine and fuel — can get into Gaza and save lives.”
“If Wednesday morning’s deal — in which 50 Israeli hostages are to be freed in exchange for a four-day pause in fighting — is honored, it is a promising first step that we can build upon, and hopefully work to extend the pause,” he said. “This extended pause must not precede a resumption of indiscriminate bombing. Israel will continue to go after Hamas, but it must dramatically change its tactics to minimize civilian harm.”
Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) made headlines in late October when he said he would back a ceasefire. He stipulated, however, that it be conditioned on the immediate and safe release of all hostages and the delivery of civilian aid.
Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, said on Wednesday that he was “relieved and heartened that the deal to release 50 of the 240 hostages being held by Hamas over a four-day ceasefire has been reached, with the possibility to extend the ceasefire by an additional day for every ten hostages released.”
“We cannot rest until every single hostage has been returned to their families and loved ones,” he added.
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Meanwhile, several Democratic senators reacted to news of the deal by reiterating their support for Israel’s military operation to eliminate Hamas.
“I commend the efforts of all those involved in reaching an agreement after difficult negotiations with Hamas. While this latest hostage release agreement is encouraging, we must not lose sight of the remaining hostages still held against their will in Gaza,” Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) said in a statement. “I continue to support Israel in its campaign to rid Gaza of the Hamas terrorists and eventually bring a sustainable peace to the region where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in safety and dignity.”
