President Biden plans to veto a bill that would prohibit the United States from withholding military weapons shipments to Israel, saying it would prevent the commander-in-chief from carrying out “effective foreign policy.” the White House announced on Tuesday.
of Israel Security Assistance Assistance ActThe bill, introduced by Republicans in both the House and Senate, would require the Biden administration to quickly deliver previously approved weapons to Israel and provide security services to the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and National Security Agency until currently suspended shipments are completed. It forces them to withhold funds from the conference.
“The administration strongly opposes the Israel Security Assistance Act, HR 8369, which seeks to limit the president’s discretion to ensure that the provision of certain defense articles and services is consistent with U.S. foreign policy objectives,” the White House said. Administrative policy statementcommented on the House version of the bill.
The statement went on to say, “This bill undermines the President’s ability to conduct effective foreign policy,” calling the bill a “misguided reaction” and calling it a “misguided reaction” to prevent the delivery of 2,000-pound bombs to the Israeli military. He derided Biden’s threat to withhold as a “distortion.” .
The White House said it “strongly opposes any attempt to constrain the President’s ability to deploy U.S. security assistance consistent with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives.”
“If HR 8369 is presented to the president, he will veto it.”
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin informed Congress last week that the Biden administration had “paused” shipments of precision bombs destined for Israel, sparking a storm of criticism against the president.
Hours after Austin’s revelations, the 81-year-old Biden said on CNN that the U.S. would move to Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu goes ahead with his plan to invade Rafah, Hamas’ last major terror stronghold. declared a halt to the provision of certain military weapons.
The city on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip is also crowded with more than 1 million civilians seeking refuge from the war.
“The Biden administration may intend to cut defense aid to Israel, but Congress and the American people have no intention of supporting terrorists,” said Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), a co-sponsor of the Senate version. said. Bill said in a statement.
“The Israel Security Assistance Act will ensure America’s greatest ally in the Middle East can destroy Hamas.”
Another co-sponsor, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), characterized the Biden administration’s decision to withhold certain weapons as a “de facto arms embargo against Israel,” calling it “the most “This is a betrayal of one of our most important allies.” It is fighting a survival war to survive.
“This bill repeals Joe Biden’s arms embargo and withholds the salaries of the officials who enforce it,” he added.
White House officials indicated Monday that the 2,000-pound bomb was being held, but other weapons shipments to Israel would continue.
“We continue to send military aid and will ensure that Israel receives any additional amounts provided,” said White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. “We have suspended the shipment of 2,000-pound bombs because we believe that bombs should not be dropped in densely populated cities.”
Congressional aides confirmed to the Post that the Biden administration notified Congress on Tuesday of plans to deliver more than $1 billion in new weapons to the Jewish state amid the moratorium on bomb shipments.
The weapon package First reported by the Wall Street Journalwould include $700 million in tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles, and $60 million in mortar shells, but these supplies are not expected to reach the battlefield anytime soon.
