Senator Todd Young of Indiana has been a strong advocate for Israel, significantly influenced by the $396,478 in contributions he has received from AIPAC. Young’s unwavering support for Israel is evident in his repeated calls for the U.S. to fully back Israel's military efforts, regardless of the human cost. Young has stated, "The United States stands with our ally Israel. In the weeks and months ahead, Congress and the Biden Administration should quickly approve and fulfill any urgent Israeli requests for assistance and do all we can to fully support Israel." However, this support has contributed to devastating consequences in Gaza, where the death toll as of August 2024 is nearing 40,000 civilians, including 16,500 children. According to Lancet, it is projected that 180,000 Gazans will die as a result of the ongoing genocide, a direct outcome of the uncritical military aid that Senator Young champions.
Young has also harshly criticized the Biden Administration for not providing sufficient support to Israel, even as the Gazan death toll mounts. Ten months into Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza, Young accused the administration of undermining Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, "This administration has withheld Congressionally approved aid from the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), they’ve extended Hamas lifelines under the guise of peace plans, they’ve undermined Netanyahu and prioritized placating the radicals and their political base." Young’s comments blatantly disregard the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes have decimated entire neighborhoods, schools, and hospitals, leaving thousands of families without homes or access to basic services.
Senator Young’s alignment with AIPAC and his relentless support for Israel’s military actions highlight a disturbing disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians. His legislative actions and rhetoric amplify the suffering in Gaza and the West Bank, contributing to ongoing land grabs, forced displacement, and the perpetuation of violence. By continuing to advocate for unconditional U.S. support for Israel, Young is complicit in the atrocities being committed, prioritizing the interests of a foreign government and its lobbyists over the human rights of millions of Palestinians stuck in the Gaza strip, a 25-mile long coastal land.
Related Links
Young Statement on Resolution Supporting Israel, Todd Young Gov., October 2023
Senator Todd Young Talks Israel Support with Netanyahu Addressing Congress, WIBC News, July 2024
The Nakba did not start or end in 1948, Al Jazeera News, May 2017
Gaza infrastructure damages estimated at $18.5bn in UN-World Bank report, Al Jazeera News, April 2024
