Wyden Introduces Legislation to Ensure Aid to Gaza, Accountability for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Government Officials Worldwide Who Enable Human Rights Violations

Wyden Introduces Legislation to Ensure Aid to Gaza, Accountability for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Government Officials Worldwide Who Enable Human Rights Violations

Legislation Makes Clear America Condemns Abuses by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Top Officials; Calls for Complying with Human Rights and Humanitarian Law; Bill Applies to Any Government and Senior Military Official Complicit in Blocking Humanitarian Aid

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced the Accountability for Withholding Aid and Relief Essentials (AWARE) Act today, to hold Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government - and any other government around the world - accountable for any actions that block humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza and others in need.

Despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Israel has blocked at least 37 aid groups - including Doctors Without Borders - from entering Gaza to provide aid and imposed new restrictions on humanitarian groups.

"The United States must send a clear message to Benjamin Netanyahu and any other leader who would deny food, medicine, and shelter to vulnerable people: If you are complicit in denying humanitarian assistance to Palestinians or others in need, you will face personal consequences," Wyden said.

"As Jews, we have a duty to moral leadership. Netanyahu has failed this duty by all counts and his policies have led to the horrific situation in Gaza. My bill seeks to prevent governments from restricting aid anywhere in the world going forward, and to hold senior government and military officials accountable with tough sanctions if they withhold humanitarian assistance in the future," Wyden continued. "As a lifelong champion for Israel's security, I believe the actions of the Netanyahu government have made Jews less safe and contributed to horrific suffering in Gaza. Withholding aid demands accountability."

The AWARE Act would provide for U.S. diplomatic sanctions on government officials in Israel or other nations if the U.S. government determines they are responsible for restricting, undermining, or obstructing humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza or elsewhere around the world. Sanctioned individuals would be blocked from obtaining visas to enter the United States and could face financial penalties, including having their U.S. assets frozen or U.S. property transactions blocked.

The legislation is endorsed by the Friends Committee on National Legislation, New Jewish Narrative and J Street.

"It is welcome news that Senator Wyden and his colleagues have taken this important and bold step toward accountability," said Hassan El-Tayyab, Legislative Director for Middle East policy at Friends Committee on National Legislation. "The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is not an accident. It is the result of deliberate and unacceptable restrictions on life-saving aid and humanitarian access by the Israeli government, including recent steps to de-register dozens of international NGOs, such as AFSC, Mercy Corps, and Doctors Without Borders. The AWARE Act makes clear that no official should be allowed to obstruct food, medicine, and humanitarian relief with impunity. By authorizing targeted sanctions, this bill provides a concrete tool to change behavior and save lives."

"Humanitarian aid should never be used as a weapon of war. Nor should the suffering of a people be exploited for diplomatic leverage," said Hadar Susskind, President and CEO of New Jewish Narrative. "Unfortunately, the current Israeli government has a demonstrable record of doing just that. Gazans continue to suffer to this day. By introducing this bill, Senator Wyden is reasserting American values, and backing them up with real consequences."

"Our Jewish values compel us to stand up against the continued oppressive restrictions on humanitarian aid into Gaza, which exacerbate the destruction inflicted on civilians by two years of war," said J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami. "At a time when humanitarian groups are facing increasing obstacles to providing help on the ground, those who intentionally restrict access to humanitarian assistance must face real consequences.

"J Street applauds Senator Wyden's moral leadership on the AWARE Act and hopes it sends a clear message: those who impede the flow of humanitarian aid will be held accountable. We call upon all officials in the Israeli government to ensure that civilians in Gaza can access all necessary aid unimpeded. We must alleviate suffering and support a sustainable ceasefire."

The full bill text is here.

A one-page summary of the bill is here.

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