President Joe Biden faces a critical decision regarding America’s military assistance to Israel in its conflict with Hamas. This choice holds immense significance for both his presidency and the longstanding relationship between the United States and Israel.
Biden’s choice to temporarily halt the delivery of weapons to Israel, combined with a report from the State Department confirming that American weapons were probably utilized in Gaza in a manner that did not sufficiently safeguard civilians, represented a significant shift in direction for the Democratic president.
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Last week, President Biden set a crucial condition for the supply of U.S.-supplied weaponry amidst the ongoing war. He emphasized that high payload bombs or artillery shells will not be provided until the Israeli government abandons its plan to invade the densely populated city of Rafah. This marks a significant shift in policy and demonstrates a clear stance against actions that could potentially harm innocent civilians.
According to Representative Ro Khanna, a prominent progressive and surrogate for the Biden campaign, it appears that President Biden has reached his limit in terms of patience and being defied. Khanna believes that Biden has shown extraordinary goodwill for several months, but that patience seems to have run out.
Progressive frustration with Biden regarding the ongoing war, which has now extended beyond seven months, has reached its peak. College campuses have been filled with protests, while young voters and Democratic lawmakers have cautioned Biden about the potential loss of support in future elections. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders even went as far as to compare the war to Biden’s own version of Vietnam.
The issue of U.S. military aid to Israel has become a major source of tension, leading to deep divisions within the Democratic Party regarding the appropriate approach for President Biden to take.
In April, the majority of congressional Democrats voted to strengthen aid to Israel. However, a group of 88 party members recently expressed “serious concerns” about Israel’s actions in Gaza. In a letter addressed to President Biden, they urged his administration to consider the possibility of withholding certain arms transfers.
After President Biden made that move, a faction of Democrats penned a letter to the White House expressing their doubts about the decision. In the letter, the lawmakers conveyed their “deep concerns” regarding the message being conveyed to Hamas and other proxy groups supported by Iran. They are seeking clarification from the Biden administration and have requested a classified briefing to discuss the matter further.
Republicans have raised concerns about Biden’s actions, with House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul stating that the President’s actions have led to one of the most significant divisions between the United States and Israel. McCaul made this statement following a meeting with Israel’s ambassador to the U.S.
“It’s not just about the damage it does to our longstanding relationship with Israel, but the consequences extend far beyond that,” expressed Representative McCaul, a Republican from Texas. He further emphasized his concern about the message being conveyed to our allies and friends, questioning our reliability, while also highlighting the fact that it only strengthens and empowers our enemies, such as Iran.”
U.S. officials have stated that the decision to suspend and review certain types of offensive weapons was driven by the large population in Rafah, where over 1 million people sought refuge. This measure was taken while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu considers a potential major ground invasion. Biden has affirmed his support for U.S. aid in Israel’s defense.
According to Biden’s advisers, the current stage of the war is different from the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people.
According to White House national security spokesman John Kirby, they feel that Hamas has faced significant pressure and that there are more effective methods to target the remaining Hamas presence in Rafah, rather than resorting to a large-scale ground operation.
The Gaza Health Ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, claims that over 35,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza since the conflict began. However, they have not provided specific information about more than 11,000 of these reported casualties. Since the United States does not have personnel on the ground, it has not been able to independently verify these numbers.
Biden seeks to regain leverage
The Biden administration had consistently emphasized that it would not interfere in Israel’s military operations, making it clear that the responsibility for determining the tactics in the war against Hamas rested with Netanyahu.
But as the U.S. waits to see how Netanyahu reacts, Biden has put a pause on certain offensive weapons. In doing so, he effectively conveyed to the Israelis that they must heed the advice of his military advisers in order to successfully defeat Hamas. Failure to do so would result in the loss of access to bombs, artillery shells, and other munitions.
According to Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, President Biden’s actions serve as a reminder that the United States has always placed conditions on foreign aid.
In a statement to USA TODAY, she warned the Israeli prime minister that the United States would not stand idly by while he worsened a humanitarian crisis. She emphasized the American stance on both a two-state solution and the significance of providing access to humanitarian aid. She made it clear that Benjamin Netanyahu would face consequences if he disregarded the United States’ position.
In his recent speech, Netanyahu expressed Israel’s determination to stand alone if necessary, in response to the weapons pause.
“We are engaging in discussions with Israel to establish a comprehensive and strategic plan that will lead to the ultimate defeat of Hamas and pave the way for a brighter future for Gaza and the Palestinian people,” he stated.
According to the speaker, the government has been working to provide support to Israel during a challenging period for its security in the region. He believes that the administration has been trying to buy time and offer diplomatic and political support to the Israeli government. However, he also suggests that there are limits to what the White House is willing to do, leading to public discussions on the matter.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken showcased the administration’s delicate balancing act during his appearance on “Meet the Press” on Sunday.
President Biden has successfully rallied a coalition of nations to support Israel, making him the most impactful leader in this regard. However, our concern has grown in recent months regarding the potential consequences of a large-scale military operation in Rafah, as it would undoubtedly harm innocent civilians.
According to Blinken, the United States has yet to receive a credible plan for ensuring the safety of civilians or any plans for post-war scenarios.
“We are still waiting for a clear confirmation that sending weapons in this particular situation goes against our laws and policies, and we will not proceed with it,” she stated firmly.
