President Joe Biden’s recent decision to halt the delivery of certain weapons to Israel. The Israelis maintain they need to go into Rafah to finish destroying Hamas, while the Americans oppose an operation they fear would result in widespread civilian casualties.
Israeli officials have expressed disappointment and frustration with the decision, highlighting the importance of U.S. military support for Israel’s operational capabilities. Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan noted the move as “a difficult and very disappointing statement to hear from a president to whom we have been grateful since the beginning of the war.”
From the perspective of U.S. domestic politics, President Biden seems to be responding to the growing pressure from a segment of the Democratic Party and the American public that is increasingly critical of the war in Gaza, especially concerning the high civilian death toll which has surpassed 34,000, as reported by Gaza health officials. Some Democratic lawmakers, such as Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Seth Moulton, have publicly supported the President’s decision, suggesting a clear obligation to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
On the other hand, Republican lawmakers have criticized the move as a deviation from the usual non-partisan process of weapons sales, with Senator Jim Risch labeling it “unprecedented.” Former President Donald Trump has also chimed in, accusing Biden of siding with Hamas.
The pause in arms transfer, while symbolic, may not significantly impact Israel’s immediate military capabilities as the U.S. has recently approved an additional $827 million in aid, and the paused munitions are from previously appropriated funds, not new allocations. Still, the move is the first instance of the U.S. leveraging weapons transfers to influence Israel’s war conduct since the October 7 Hamas-led attack.
President Biden’s pause in weapons delivery is a clear message to Israel regarding its conduct in Gaza, indicating that while the U.S. remains a staunch ally, it will not endorse actions that could exacerbate civilian suffering.
Relevant articles:
– Turning point or breaking point? Biden’s pause on bomb delivery tests ties to Israel , Head Topics, 05/10/2024
– Israel objects to US decision to pause some arms shipments, Voice of America – VOA News, 05/09/2024
– Biden pressures Israel to reach a cease-fire in Gaza, straining ties, Hawaii Tribune-Herald, 05/09/2024
– What does paused bomb shipment say about US-Israel relations?, The National Desk, 05/09/2024