President Biden’s move to suspend heavy bomb shipments to Israel has infuriated Republicans, further polarizing U.S. efforts to prevent Israel from launching a bloody operation in southern Gaza.
The U.S. is already Approximately 3,500 bombs that had been approved for Israel were withheld. Palestinians are being evacuated.
But the decision to curb arms shipments is one of the most important actions Biden has taken to assert U.S. influence in the midst of Israel’s war in Gaza. Progressives have long called for such weapons restrictions, but Republicans responded to the move with a blistering statement attacking Biden.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a joint statement on Wednesday that “the administration has committed significant arms shipments to Israel.” “I am appalled at the decision to suspend the program.” He accused Biden of undermining Israel’s national security.
“Furthermore, this disastrous policy decision was made in secret and intentionally hidden from Congress and the American people,” they said. “At a time when Israel continues to negotiate in good faith to secure the release of its hostages, including American citizens, the administration’s short-sighted and strategic mistakes call into question its ‘unwavering commitment’ as an ally.”
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was also questioned by Republicans. when he testified Wednesday morning before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“Wouldn’t this send the wrong message to our ally Israel and embolden Iran and Iranian-backed groups?” said Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.). “We shouldn’t send a signal.” [our] Our support has conditions. ”
Austin responded that the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security remains “ironclad” and that the White House has provided billions of dollars to the country.
“That said, we are currently looking at some short-term security transport options in light of what’s happening at Rafah,” Austin said. “We have not made any decisions. We have paused to reevaluate some of the security assistance we are providing.”
Austin reiterated that Israel should not launch a “massive attack” on Rafah without protecting civilians and having a plan in place to protect the civilians sheltering there.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R.S.C.) claimed that Hamas and other Iranian-backed proxies are dedicated to destroying Israel.
“And you’re saying that withholding arms in this fight, the fight for the life of the Jewish state, doesn’t send the wrong signal?” he told Austin during interrogation. Ta.
The pending weapons are a 2,000-pound bomb, a 500-pound bomb, and an integrated direct attack weapon kit that converts them into precision-guided weapons known as smart bombs. Heavier bombs are generally more destructive and can lead to more indiscriminate attacks, and human rights groups have accused Israel of increasing the death toll with larger munitions.
The United States provides billions of dollars in sales to Israel each year, and the White House continues to ship arms to the country in its war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Biden signed a national security package last month that included $26 billion for Israel.
But pressure on Biden has intensified from the left, reaching a climax in recent weeks as college students camp on campuses to protest the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where more than 34,000 people have been killed in a seven-month war. has reached. .
Alp Sevimlisoy, a millennium fellow at the Atlantic Council, said Mr. Biden is likely to eventually send whatever munitions he has, but he is using the plan to send a message that the war needs to end quickly. He said that he may be holding back for now in order to take advantage of the influence he has. .
“The Biden administration simply wants Israel to be clear about its endgame and to define it quickly,” he said. “These weapons will move forward. They intend to execute at a point where it is seen as unlikely to be confused with potential operations.”
Still, Republicans, who have accused Biden of being too soft on campus protests against Israel’s wars, were quick to capitalize on the suspension.
“Republicans see this as a very easy way to attack the Biden administration because, on paper, there appears to be some distrust in supporting Israel,” he added. “But in reality, we are seeing unwavering support for Israel from President Biden.”
Israel has also expressed displeasure with the move. Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan told Israeli news station Channel 12 that blocking the bombing was “upsetting” and a “very regrettable decision”.
Israel launched a limited operation in Rafah this week after ordering the evacuation of 100,000 Palestinians. On Tuesday, soldiers seized a border crossing leading to Egypt, a key source of desperately needed humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.
Biden suggested on CNN on Wednesday night that he would halt sales of offensive weapons if Israel entered Rafah.
“We will continue to ensure Israel’s security in terms of Iron Dome and our recent ability to respond to attacks from the Middle East,” he said, but in the event of a full-scale attack by Rafah. We are not going to supply weapons or shells.”
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters Wednesday that other arms shipments are also being reviewed, also related to concerns over Rafah and the “unacceptable” humanitarian crisis across Gaza. he said.
“We have always made it clear that our policy decisions depend on Israeli policy decisions,” he said, adding that the Biden administration “does not believe that Israel has presented a credible humanitarian plan.” He added that he did not support a large-scale invasion of Rafah.
As the death toll in the Gaza Strip soars, more Democrats are calling for Israel to condition its weapons or send only defensive weapons.close to Last week, 90 people supported Democrats. Biden urged Israel to consider halting offensive weapons.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont), the Senate’s most vocal opponent of arms deliveries to Israel, accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of causing an “unprecedented humanitarian disaster” in the Gaza Strip. , said Biden was “absolutely right to end the bomb deliveries.” ”
“But this must be a first step. The United States must now demand an immediate ceasefire, an end to the attack on Rafah, and the immediate provision of large amounts of humanitarian aid to people living in despair.” , must use all force.” Sanders said in a statement:.
But Republicans said Biden’s priorities are confused when it comes to the U.S. role in the war.Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) accuses the president in a statement It means that they have given in to “a section of the Democratic Party that hates America.”
Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Ted Budd (R-Iowa) sent a letter to Biden questioning his cover-up of bomb sales.
“Everyone seems to be against Israel when we should be against Hamas,” Ernst told Fox News on Tuesday. “We should not use our aid, ammunition and weapons platforms to use against Israel.”
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