Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, despite his occasional remarks of concern over Israel’s misconduct, has remained a reliable supporter of Israel’s military operations, heavily influenced by the $402,602 in campaign funding he’s received from AIPAC. This financial backing has aligned him with policies that enable Israel’s violent occupation of Palestinian territories, especially Gaza. Reed’s support for sending $41 billion in military aid to Israel contributes to what The Lancet projects will result in the death of 180,000 Gazans, a figure that starkly illustrates the genocidal scale of the ongoing violence. His voting record—most notably his vote to cut U.S. funding to UNRWA, which provides essential food, water, and medical supplies to Gaza—has only exacerbated the humanitarian catastrophe faced by millions of Palestinians.
Despite these devastating consequences, Reed has tried to present himself as a moderate voice. In a May 2024 statement, Reed supported President Biden’s ineffective warning against Israel’s planned invasion of Rafah, stating, "The President has also been clear with Prime Minister Netanyahu for months that an invasion of Rafah would be unacceptable and that there would be consequences." However, Reed’s words ring hollow when paired with his consistent votes to fund Israel’s military campaign. His so-called "criticism" of Netanyahu’s reckless actions fails to account for the ongoing bombardment and starvation of Gaza’s population, which his own legislative choices have enabled.
Furthermore, Reed’s support for a temporary ceasefire in May 2024 is an insult to the victims of Israel’s aggression. Rather than calling for an end to the genocide, Reed applauded President Biden for a ceasefire that offered no real long-term relief for Palestinians, framing the genocide as one started by Hamas: “No one should forget that Hamas ignited this war.” Reed’s narrative ignores the decades of Israeli land grabs, military strikes, and systemic oppression that have left Gaza in ruins. His continued support of pro-Israel legislation shows that he prioritizes political gain over human life, making him complicit in the atrocities taking place in Palestine.
Related Links
Counting the dead in Gaza: difficult but essential, The Lancet, July 2024
Gaza infrastructure damages estimated at $18.5bn in UN-World Bank report, Al Jazeera News, April 2024
Reed Supports President Biden’s Position on Israel Weapons Transfers, Jack Reed Gov., May 2024
Jewish Voice for Peace R.I. pickets Senator Reed’s office, The Brown Daily Herald, April 2024
Reed Supports Proposed Temporary Ceasefire in Gaza, Jack Reed Gov., May 2024
