President Joe Biden warned in an interview with CNN on Wednesday that he would cut off offensive aid if Israel entered the populated area of Rafah, according to Politico.
President Biden emphasized that Israel has not yet entered Rafah at this time, but that “if Israel were to enter Rafah,” he said, “historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the city, to deal with that issue. “We will cut off the weapons that have been used to combat this.” , Politico report.
Biden says, “If Israel enters Rafah, the United States will stop using offensive weapons against Israel.” https://t.co/bxdIU7SAzZ
— Politico (@politico) May 8, 2024
Biden told CNN he had conveyed the request to Israel’s war cabinet, The Times of Israel report. According to the newspaper, Mr. Biden said the United States would continue to supply defense weapons such as Iron Dome. “We are not going to supply weapons or shells.” [if the Israelis go into Rafah]” the president said, the newspaper reported.
According to a report in Politico, Mr. Biden acknowledged that U.S.-made bombs had been used in the Gaza Strip in the past, killing civilians. “Civilians are being killed in Gaza as a result of these attacks.” [2,000-pound] “We are targeting populated areas with bombs and other methods,” the president said, the newspaper reported.
The Israeli military began a civilian evacuation operation in eastern Rafah on Monday. Israel argued that such operations against the city were necessary to achieve victory against Hamas, given that the region is where Hamas still has an organized military force. An Israeli Defense Force operation has successfully captured the Rafah crossing on the Gaza-Egypt border, the Associated Press reported. report.
Biden’s announcement comes amid reports that the administration has already delayed deliveries of military equipment to Israel, including precision munitions, according to a report in Politico. (Related: ‘Played with’: Israel’s alleged Biden administration reportedly held secret talks with mediator over ceasefire agreement)
Mr. Biden’s remarks were met with surprise from many politicians. “Biden’s wobbling on Israeli weapons is bad policy and sends a terrible message to Israel, our allies, and the world,” Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, tweeted.
We support our allies and we don’t think twice about them. Biden’s hesitation about Israeli weapons is bad policy and a terrible message to Israel, its allies, and the world.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) May 8, 2024
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, tweeted: “I completely disagree and am very disappointed.”
I completely disagree and am very disappointed. pic.twitter.com/96aTeEvgPt
— Sen. John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) May 8, 2024
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell voiced their protest over reports of arms shipment delays in a letter to the White House, which the House of Representatives tweeted.
I participated @LeaderMcConnell Today, we are calling on the Biden administration to immediately accelerate security assistance to Israel. pic.twitter.com/uXKlSkeMld
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) May 8, 2024
The letter looked at the threats Israel faces in the region and argued that “daylight” between Israel and the United States could embolden its adversaries.
