Israel will request $1bn in additional American aid, says US senator middleeasteye.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from middleeasteye.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
1:29 P.M. EDT
MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Hi, everybody. Okay, good to see everyone. I have a couple of things for you guys at the top.
Yesterday, we made history: Kristen Clarke was confirmed with at with as the first woman and first woman of color to lead the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice. And Chiquita Brooks-LaSure became the first Black person to be confirmed as Administrator for the Centers for Medical Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Kristen’s career was launched in the office that she now leads. She personally prosecuted crimes based on hatred and bigotry, human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault. She has served at two of the nation’s oldest civil rights organizations, where she worked on everything from voting rights to equal education and employment. At the Department of Justice, she will continue advancing civil rights progress, including on police reform.
Originally published on May 21, 2021 10:21 am
For decades, Democrats and Republicans alike have stood by Israel, almost unconditionally, insisting the country has a right to defend itself.
President Biden did that throughout the recent conflict, as Hamas militants fired thousands of rockets into Israel. Now, Biden has pledged to help replenish Israel s air defense system, while promising humanitarian aid to Gaza, which was pounded by fierce Israeli air strikes before a cease-fire took effect early on Friday.
But this latest violence marked a shift in the American political debate over Israel. The criticism from the left was louder than in the past with progressives pressuring Biden to speak up forcefully in support of Palestinians, who saw a far greater civilian death toll in recent days.