Second-highest ranking Democratic senator, Dick Durbin, calls for Israel-Hamas war ceasefire

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war on Thursday, becoming the first senator to demand a halt in the Jewish state’s military operations against the Palestinian terror group. 

Durbin (D-Ill.), the second-highest ranking member of the Senate, noted that his support for a ceasefire is contingent on the “immediate release” of hostages being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. 

“I think it is,” the Illinois Democrat said during an interview with CNN when asked whether it was time for a ceasefire. “At least in the context of both sides agreeing. For example, the release of those kidnapped should be part of this — immediate release.” 

“That should be the beginning of it,” Durbin added. “An effort should be made to engage in conversation between the Israelis and Palestinians.”

Durbin said his support for a cease-fire is contingent on the “immediate release” of hostages being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. REUTERS

The senator’s backing of a ceasefire is a deviation from the language that has been used by President Biden, who on Wednesday called for a “pause” in fighting to “give time to get the prisoners out.”

Durbin, 78, said he has “not communicated with the White House” about a possible suspension in hostilities. 

Several far-left House lawmakers have been demanding a cease-fire in the war for weeks.MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Durbin, who last month was among 99 senators to sign onto a resolution “standing with Israel against terrorism,” argued that the conflict in the Middle East has reached “an intolerable level.” 

“Let’s face it, this has gone on for decades,” he said. “Whenever the rationale from beginning, it has now reached an intolerable level. We need to have a resolution in the Middle East that gives some promise for the future.”

Several far-left House lawmakers, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and pro-Palestinian protesters have been demanding a ceasefire for weeks. 

The United Nations has also passed a nonbinding resolution calling for a “humanitarian truce” in Gaza. 

Sen. Chris Murphy urged Israel to “reconsider its approach” in Gaza. AP

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) all but called for a ceasefire on Thursday as well, urging Israel to “reconsider its approach” in Gaza amid what he called “an unacceptable level of civilian harm.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Thursday called demands for a ceasefire by Democrats “disturbing” and unnecessary as the lower chamber considered a bill to provide Israel with $14.3 billion in military aid.

“There was a ceasefire because before Oct. 7, and Hamas broke it, and Israelis suffered unspeakable acts of evil,” Johnson said. 

“Israel doesn’t need a ceasefire. It needs its allies to cease with the politics and deliver support now, and that’s what we’re doing,” he added.  

Israel declared war against Hamas in response to the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on the Jewish state which left more than 1,400 dead.