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Van Hollen agrees Israel should face ‘consequences’ over Gaza aid, civilian deaths on January 7, 2024 at 9:22 pm
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) on Sunday called for “consequences” on Israel in an effort to reduce civilian deaths and allow greater humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Asked on CBS News’s “Face the Nation” if the Israeli government needs to face consequences if they are contributing to blocking aid into Gaza for political reasons, Van Hollen said, “Yes, I do think there … have to be consequences.”
“And you know, [Secretary of State Antony Blinken] and President Biden had been right to insist on two things: a reduction in the unacceptable levels of civilian casualties, and much more cooperation when it comes to providing humanitarian assistance. We’ve not seen that,” Van Hollen added.
Van Hollen, alongside Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), spent the past few days in the Middle East where they visited the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza. The crossing is how most humanitarian aid gets into besieged Gaza, though several humanitarian organizations have stressed the aid is a fraction of what is needed for civilians.
Van Hollen suggested aid is not getting into the region because of a political choice by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“There are two big things that are happening. One is the unnecessarily cumbersome process, going through the Israeli screening process, which I believe is the result of political decisions by the Netanyahu coalition,” he said.
Van Hollen said items such as water filtration systems were found rejected at a warehouse, and explained how he watched trucks with aid from UNICEF be turned away at the crossing.
“And when one item on a truck is rejected, the entire truck is rejected,” he said. The other big issue is within Gaza, the so-called deconfliction process, which is just a fancy name for those who are providing humanitarian assistance to have the confidence that they can deliver it without being killed.”
“And according to all the international [nongovernmental organizations] that we talked about who have been operating in conflict zones around the world, they’ve never seen a worse process for assuring the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance,” he added.
CBS “Face the Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan noted France and Jordan decided to airdrop aid into Gaza due to the issues on land. Asked if the U.S. should do the same, Van Hollen said, “Well, I think we should consider every means to try to get desperately needed humanitarian assistance into Gaza,” while noting airports are not at scale.
The war between Israel and the militant group Hamas has raged on for more than three months following Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack that left an estimated 1,200 people dead. About 240 people were believed to have been kidnapped by Hamas during the attack.
The Gaza Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas, said Sunday at least 22,835 people have been killed in the coastal enclave since early October, according to reports.
U.S. officials have increased pressure on Israel in recent weeks to allow greater amounts of aid to travel into the region while stressing that Israel has the right to defend itself. Still, the Biden administration has publicly and behind the scenes urged Israel to scale down the war and be more mindful of civilian deaths.
The United Nations Security Council last month passed a resolution to scale up assistance to the Gaza Strip. The U.S. did not vote in favor of the resolution, but also did not block it.
Israel last month opened its Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, creating a second entry point for aid, The Associated Press reported.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) on Sunday called for “consequences” on Israel in an effort to reduce civilian deaths and allow greater humanitarian aid into Gaza. Asked on CBS News’s “Face the Nation” if the Israeli government needs to face consequences if they are contributing to blocking aid into Gaza for political reasons, Van Hollen…
President Donald Trump says the United States might one day get rid of federal income tax because of money the government collects from tariffs on imported goods. Tariffs are extra taxes the U.S. puts on products that come from other countries.
What Trump Is Saying
Trump has said that tariff money could become so large that it might allow the government to cut income taxes “almost completely.” He has also talked about possibly phasing out income tax over the next few years if tariff money keeps going up.
How Taxes Work Now
Right now, the federal government gets much more money from income taxes than from tariffs. Income taxes bring in trillions of dollars each year, while tariffs bring in only a small part of that total. Because of this gap, experts say tariffs would need to grow by many times to replace income tax money.
Questions From Experts
Many economists and tax experts doubt that tariffs alone could pay for the whole federal budget. They warn that very high tariffs could make many imported goods more expensive for shoppers in the United States. This could hit lower- and middle‑income families hardest, because they spend a big share of their money on everyday items.
What Congress Must Do
The president can change some tariffs, but only Congress can change or end the federal income tax. That means any real plan to remove income tax would need new laws passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. So far, there is no detailed law or full budget plan on this idea.
What It Means Right Now
For now, Trump’s comments are a proposal, not a change in the law. People and businesses still have to pay federal income tax under the current rules. The debate over using tariffs instead of income taxes is likely to continue among lawmakers, experts, and voters.
Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to declassify all government files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier whose death in 2019 continues to fuel controversy and speculation.
The order, signed Wednesday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, instructs the FBI, Department of Justice, and intelligence agencies to release documents detailing Epstein’s network, finances, and alleged connections to high-profile figures. Trump described the move as “a step toward transparency and public trust,” promising that no names would be shielded from scrutiny.
“This information belongs to the American people,” Trump said in a televised statement. “For too long, powerful interests have tried to bury the truth. That ends now.”
U.S. intelligence officials confirmed that preparations for the release are already underway. According to sources familiar with the process, the first batch of documents is expected to be made public within the next 30 days, with additional releases scheduled over several months.
Reactions poured in across the political spectrum. Supporters praised the decision as a bold act of accountability, while critics alleged it was politically motivated, timed to draw attention during a volatile election season. Civil rights advocates, meanwhile, emphasized caution, warning that some records could expose private victims or ongoing legal matters.
The Epstein case, which implicated figures in politics, business, and entertainment, remains one of the most talked-about scandals of the past decade. Epstein’s connections to influential individuals—including politicians, royals, and executives—have long sparked speculation about the extent of his operations and who may have been involved.
Former federal prosecutor Lauren Fields said the release could mark a turning point in public discourse surrounding government transparency. “Regardless of political stance, this declassification has the potential to reshape how Americans view power and accountability,” Fields noted.
Officials say redactions may still occur to protect sensitive intelligence or personal information, but the intent is a near-complete disclosure. For years, critics of the government’s handling of Epstein’s case have accused agencies of concealing evidence or shielding elites from exposure. Trump’s order promises to change that narrative.
As anticipation builds, journalists, legal analysts, and online commentators are preparing for what could be one of the most consequential information releases in recent history.
What Happened at the United Nations
On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, defending Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. As he spoke, more than 100 delegates from over 50 countries stood up and left the chamber—a rare and significant diplomatic walkout. Outside the UN, thousands of protesters gathered to voice opposition to Netanyahu’s policies and call for accountability, including some who labeled him a war criminal. The protest included activists from Palestinian and Jewish groups, along with international allies.
Why Did Delegates and Protesters Walk Out?
The walkouts and protests were a response to Israel’s continued offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in widespread destruction and a significant humanitarian crisis. Many countries and individuals have accused Israel of excessive use of force, and some international prosecutors have suggested Netanyahu should face investigation by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, including claims that starvation was used as a weapon against civilians. At the same time, a record number of nations—over 150—recently recognized the State of Palestine, leaving the United States as the only permanent UN Security Council member not to join them.
International Reaction and Significance
The diplomatic walkouts and street protests demonstrate increasing global concern over the situation in Gaza and growing support for Palestinian statehood. Several world leaders, including Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, showed visible solidarity with protesters. Petro called for international intervention and, controversially, for US troops not to follow orders he viewed as supporting ongoing conflict. The US later revoked Petro’s visa over his role in the protests, which he argued was evidence of a declining respect for international law.
Why Is This News Important?
The Gaza conflict is one of the world’s most contentious and closely-watched issues. It has drawn strong feelings and differing opinions from governments, activists, and ordinary people worldwide. The United Nations, as an international organization focused on peace and human rights, is a key arena for these debates. The events surrounding Netanyahu’s speech show that many nations and voices are urging new action—from recognition of Palestinian rights to calls for sanctions against Israel—while discussion and disagreement over the best path forward continue.
This episode at the UN highlights how international diplomacy, public protests, and official policy are all intersecting in real time as the search for solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains urgent and unresolved.
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