Sullivan’s statement is the White House’s second attempt this week to retract Biden’s remark.
The White House reaffirmed this week that it is not aiming to impose conditions on US military assistance to Israel, despite President Biden’s suggestion days earlier that the US would consider doing so.
Several Democrats have pushed for restrictions as the civilian dead toll in Gaza from Israel’s war on Hamas has risen, but national security advisor Jake Sullivan told Congress on Tuesday that the White House is not looking for any.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., one of a dozen senators who met privately with Sullivan on Tuesday, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Sullivan “made it clear that the White House is not asking for any conditionality in aid.” So I want to be really clear about that.”
Last week, Biden told reporters that restricting military aid to Israel was a “worthwhile thought,” and that if he had participated in discussions, securing the release of hostages held by Hamas would have been more difficult.
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Sullivan’s clarification is the White House’s second attempt this week to backtrack on Biden’s remark about possibly qualifying future Israeli military aid.
On Monday, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby was asked directly whether Biden was thinking about conditioning aid and what the president meant by a “worthwhile thought.”
“What he also said, right after acknowledging that it was ‘a worthwhile thought,’ was that the approach he has chosen to take so far has produced results and outcomes,” he said.
“The approach that we’re taking with Israel and, frankly, with our regional partners is working,” he added. It is the distribution of aid to those in need. The fighting is coming to a halt. It is releasing hostages. It is gaining popularity among Americans.
During the virtual discussion, Sullivan explained how the Biden administration plans to continue sending aid and assistance to Israel once the current cease-fire deal with Hamas in Gaza expires.
The discussion was conducted via teleconference, with Sullivan at the White House and senators in a secret room on Capitol Hill.
Following the discussion, Van Hollen joined two other senators – Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, and Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I. – in requesting President Biden to publicly disclose his position and opinions.
When the current cease-fire expires, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that his country will resume its ground offensive from northern to southern Gaza.
