Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) was among the few Democratic critics who emerged on Thursday in opposition to President Joe Biden’s threat to withhold military aid to Israel.
Tester, up for reelection this November in a battleground Senate race that could determine control of the chamber, distanced himself from Biden’s attempt to dissuade Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from launching a new military offensive in Gaza amid concerns of civilian casualties.
Biden’s warning that he would hold back a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs comes just weeks after he signed into law a bill passed by Congress with new military assistance for Israel, which Tester voted for.
“He should give it to them,” Tester told the Washington Examiner. “Congress passed the bill. Congressional intent was to give it to them. He should continue to put pressure on [Netanyahu]
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