Blinken: ‘We need to do more’ for civilians in Gaza
Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Tel Aviv Friday that “we need to do more” to protect civilians in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war.
Hamas “monstrously” uses the people of Gaza as human shields, Blinken said. “But civilians should not suffer the consequences for its inhumanity and its brutality.”
Blinken stressed ethical, legal and strategic reasons for Israel to follow laws of war in its response to Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack:
“It’s the right and lawful thing to do. It matters because failure to do so plays into the hands of Hamas and other terror groups. … There will be no partners for peace if they’re consumed by humanitarian catastrophe, and alienated by any perceived indifference to their plight.”
President Biden and several others have called for a “pause” to fighting to allow civilians to get out and assistance to get into Gaza amid Israel’s ground offensive and shortages of water, food and fuel.
Blinken said there are details to work out, and talks between the U.S. and Israel will continue.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that a pause won’t happen unless Hamas releases around 240 hostages the Israeli military says the group kidnapped.
Israel says more than 1,400 Israelis died in Hamas’s attack. According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, more than 9,000 Palestinians in Gaza have diedsince the attack, though it has not released a breakdown of civilians and fighters.
Welcome to Evening Report! I’m Amee LaTour, catching you up from the afternoon and what’s coming tomorrow. Not on the list? Subscribe here.
CATCH UP QUICK
The House passed its seventh of 12 appropriations bills for fiscal year 2024 Friday, which included a 39 percent cut to the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget. It’s a starting point for negotiations with the Democratic-controlled Senate.
President Biden isin Lewiston,Maine, meeting with first responders and families of those killed in the recent mass shooting. Biden is scheduled to give remarks at 4:15 p.m. (Watch live)
LGBTQlawmakers and civil rights advocates are scrutinizing new House SpeakerMike Johnson‘s (R-La.) record on same-sex marriage and transgender rights.
The Defense Department on Friday announced a $425 million package for Ukraine amid its ongoing fight against Russian forces. The department said $300 million is coming from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and the rest from defense stocks.
From The Hill’s Brad Dress: “The U.S. is running out of available funds to send to Ukraine. Congress has stalled on passing another round of assistance.”
The White House asked Congress for $61 billion in additional funds for Ukraine, packaged with funds for Israel and other purposes including border security.
The House passed aid for Israel separately on Thursday and will consider Ukraine aid, combined with border security measures, soon, according to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). Senate leaders support President Biden‘s funding package request.
📊 FRIDAY FIGURES
Swing State Series — We’re giving a snapshot of where things stand one year out in five battleground states for both president and Senate in 2024. In part 3 of our series:
Presidential peek: Most recent polling out of Michigan testing a hypothetical rematch between President Bidenand former President Trump show them tied within margins of error (MOE).
In RealClearPolitics’s polling averages since August, Trump has 43.4 percent and Biden 43 percent.
One poll, from Marketing Resource Group in early October, showed Trump ahead 42 percent to 35 percent, with an MOE of 4 percentage points.
A September poll from Susquehanna Polling & Research also tested a matchup between Biden and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, finding Biden ahead 48 percent to 42 percent (MOE 3.7 percentage points).
Check out how FiveThirtyEight’s (now 538) polling averages for Trump and Biden in Michigan trended throughout 2020.
Keep in mind: Michigan has voted Democrat in presidential elections since 1992, except for in 2016, when Trump defeated Hillary Clinton (D) by 0.2 percentage points. Biden then won the state by almost 3 points in 2020.
The Senate side: Michigan has an open Senate race next year as Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) isn’t running for reelection.
The most recent Senate election in Michigan, in 2020, was close. Incumbent Gary Peters (D) defeated John James (R) by fewer than 2 percentage points.
An Emerson poll from August tested Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), who’s launched a Senate bid, against several current and potential Republican contenders, finding Slotkin ahead in each scenario.
Cook considers the 7th District, which Slotkin currently represents, a toss-up.” Cook rates the 8th District as “lean Democrat” and the 10th District as”lean Republican.”
ICYMI: View previous installments of our Swing State Series on Pennsylvania and Arizona.
Check back next Friday for an analysis of Nevada’s 2024 battleground terrain.
The White House Historical Association is set to open what it calls a “cutting-edge education experience” on 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW next fall. Among the site’s features will be a model of the White House, a full-scale Oval Office replica and recreated moments from the White House.
“Using new technology and media, we will spotlight the unique ties each visitor holds with our nation’s most iconic building,” said Nick Appelbaum, president and CEO of Ralph Appelbaum Associates, which is planning the exhibits.
“Our goal is to create a meaningful connection between the broader story of our nation and the individual experiences of each visitor.”
The clocks turn back one hour for most people in the United States at 2 a.m. Sunday (which will very quickly become 1 a.m. Sunday). The Hill’s Tiah Shepherd answers some Daylight Saving Time questions you may have here.
“Foster care is severely flawed. During National Adoption Month in November, let’s talk about how to fix it” — Rep. DonBacon (R-Neb.), co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth. (Read here)
“The history of hostage negotiations tells us empathy isn’t enough” — BrianMichaelJenkins, a senior adviser to the president of the RAND Corporation and author of numerous books, reports and articles on terrorism-related topics. (Read here)
