Led by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a group of Democrat senators have a message for President Joe Biden. There will be no more “asking nicely” for Israel to do more to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza.

They warned Biden’s national security team that any aid from the United States to Israel must include assurances of steps from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

“The truth is that if asking nicely worked, we wouldn’t be in the position we are today,” Sanders said in a floor speech. It was time for the United States to use its “substantial leverage” with its ally, the Vermont senator said.

“And we all know what that leverage is,” he said, adding, “the blank-check approach must end.”

Biden has requested about $106B in aid for Ukraine, Israel, and other national security needs. Needless to say, the senators’ demand has gotten the attention of the White House and Israel.

Traditionally, support for Israel has been a bipartisan effort. Both political parties embraced the role taken by the United States as Israel’s top protector. It is hard to imagine that these malcontents would deny the aid now. The Democrat senators say that isn’t their intention but just bringing the threat into the conversation speaks volumes. The Senate is fractured on foreign aid, specifically aid to our allies at war. They are putting their emotional support of Palestinians over their clear-eyed support of Israel. They are falling for Hamas propaganda that includes exaggerated civilian deaths during the Israel-Hamas war.

Sanders and his like-minded Senate colleagues are firmly making a stand that demands Israel’s military “must adopt substantive measures to lessen civilian deaths in Gaza as part of receiving the supplemental $14.3 billion in U.S. aid for Israel’s war.”

It is so irritating to see a group of lawmakers who are old enough to know better tell Israel how to defend herself. Israel is very careful and measured in its response to the massacres of October 7. The Israelis distribute flyers and provide information to Gazans before a big military offensive begins. They were told to evacuate and where it would be safe for Gazans to go to avoid a military strike.

Let’s remember – it was Hamas that attacked Israel on October 7. At that time there was a ceasefire in force. Hamas frequently violated the ceasefire by launching missiles into Israel on an almost daily basis. Israel responded largely in half-measures. That is over now. There is no other option than to defend their country and end Hamas. Destroy them. They cannot be trusted to live along the Israeli border ever again.

Israel doesn’t need lectures on how to wage its war. The arrogance of pro-Hamas and pro-Palestinian supporters (there is no distinction) is mind-blowing. Putting pressure on feeble Joe Biden may do some good for their demand but it is to the determent of Israel.

The demand is a warning of more trouble ahead for an Israeli government that’s often at odds with the U.S. in its treatment of Palestinians.

“There’s a big difference between asking and getting a commitment” from Netanyahu’s government on a plan to reduce civilian casualties and improve living conditions in Gaza, Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen told The Associated Press. Van Hollen has been one of the key senators huddling with administration officials on the demands.

“So our goal is to achieve results,” Van Hollen said. “And not just set expectations.”

One measure being used by Israel is to use online maps of Gaza neighborhoods to alert civilians of crowded streets, neighborhoods, and communities that should evacuate before a military strike.

In addition to Bernie’s little coalition of the unwilling, there is a group of 13 Democrat senators who are calling for a ceasefire. According to their statement, they demand “short-term cessation of hostilities that pose high-risk to civilians, aid workers or humanitarian aid delivery in Gaza.” Well now. That’s great for Hamas, who will hijack the humanitarian aid as they always do, and they will re-group to continue with their mission to kill all the Jews. A ceasefire is most dangerous for Israel. Besides, Hamas has already proven it will not honor a ceasefire. They kill Jews and others in Israel with glee while Israel tries its best to minimize civilian death and suffering.

The Democrat senators said Israel has a right to defend herself but they want to minimize harm to civilians. You know, the thing that Israel is already doing because the IDF isn’t the same as Hamas barbarians.

“As Senators, we have been closely monitoring the war in Gaza and believe that much more must be done to protect civilian life,” they said in the statement from the office of Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey.

Other Democrat senators who signed the statement are Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.)

The gang of thirteen lists three goals in their statement.

1. Successful delivery of needed humanitarian aid to civilians under strict and necessary oversight.
2. Increased focus on the release of all hostages kidnapped on October 7
3. Opportunity for broader discussion amongst Israeli and Palestinian leadership, together with regional and global partners, about long-term strategies to reduce decades-long conflict in the region.

The Biden administration is already going wobbly. Look for them to continue to micro-manage Israel on how to defend herself. Hopefully, Israel will listen and then go about how it fights by making its own decisions. This is a time of moral clarity and the Biden administration is beginning to fail the test. Biden says one thing publicly by claiming complete support for Israel and then privately knifes Netanyahu in the back.