Rep. Garamendi Statement on Letter to Biden Administration Seeking Assessment of Israeli Compliance with NSM-20, 620I
Washington, D.C. -- This week, I signed a letter led by Representatives Crow, Dean, and Houlahan calling for the Biden Administration to provide a full assessment to Congress on whether Israel is adhering to its March 2024 assurances to facilitate U.S. humanitarian assistance to Gaza. These assurances were made in accordance with National Security Memorandum 20, including Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act.
I welcomed the October 13th letter the Biden Administration sent to the Israeli government calling them to increase the humanitarian aid into Gaza within 30 days, or risk losing access to U.S. weapons. This followed Israel's assurances in March stating that its actions, including facilitating humanitarian assistance, comply with U.S. and international law. This deadline has expired, but the Israeli government has still not yet fulfilled their requirements to allow life-saving aid into Gaza.
The U.S. must always evaluate whether the provision of military aid is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, especially those that prohibit the obstruction of humanitarian access. It is of the utmost importance that a full assessment of Israel’s compliance with all relevant U.S. policies and laws, including National Security Memorandum 20 (NSM-20) and Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act, is carried out. My calls to do so are consistent with my concerns surrounding the lack of humanitarian assistance in Gaza and my request to enforce NSM-20 outlined in a letter to the Biden Administration sent this May.
Now is the time for more humanitarian aid and support to the innocent civilians impacted by this war, not less. Further action must be taken to ensure Israel upholds the assurances it provided in March 2024 to facilitate and not directly or indirectly obstruct U.S. humanitarian assistance. I support the Biden Administration’s efforts to achieve a negotiated solution that brings an end to the fighting, frees the remaining hostages, surges humanitarian aid, and lays the groundwork to rebuild Gaza with a legitimate Palestinian governing body.