Biden Withholds Weapons Amid Israel's Rafah Invasion Plans

Avery Emberly

Updated Monday, May 13, 2024 at 6:24 AM CDT

Biden Withholds Weapons Amid Israel's Rafah Invasion Plans

In a move that has sent shockwaves through U.S.-Israel relations, President Biden has paused a significant weapons shipment to Israel in response to their planned invasion of the Hamas stronghold in Rafah. This decision comes amid rising tensions and concerns over potential civilian casualties in the densely populated area, home to nearly one million residents.

The Israeli military's plan to invade Rafah has sparked a wave of anti-Israel protests across U.S. college campuses, leading to over 2,800 arrests due to illegal encampments on at least 50 campuses. The issue has also been a point of contention on the legal front, with ongoing discussions in New York v. Trump and Stormy Daniels' testimony drawing national attention.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently vowed to eradicate Hamas during Israel's 76th Independence Day celebrations, finds his legacy in the balance. Senator Chris C**** (D-Del.), in an appearance on ABC's "This Week," suggested that Netanyahu's tenure could either be marred by strategic failures, such as the Oct. 7 incident, or remembered for securing regional peace and stability.

President Biden's threat to withhold offensive military aid, including a shipment of 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, reflects serious concerns over the use of American-supplied munitions in potential attacks on Rafah and allegations of human rights abuses by Israeli forces. A State Department report citing an estimate of 34,700 Palestinian deaths since the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack has intensified scrutiny over Israel's adherence to international humanitarian law.

While some Democratic lawmakers, like Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), have expressed opposition to Biden's decision, suggesting it may be influenced by election year politics, others, including Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), advocate for the continuation of military aid to Israel. Cardin, aligning with an NSM-20 report, argues that Israel has not breached International Humanitarian Law and publicly disagreed with Biden's decision to withhold the bomb shipment.

The White House insists that the pause on weapons shipments is not politically motivated but based on national security interests. However, the decision has not gone without criticism from pro-Israel Democratic lawmakers like Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and others who argue for unconditional U.S. security assistance to Israel in the face of threats from Iran and Hamas.

In light of the unfolding events, discussions are also underway for a potential plan to relocate civilians from Rafah, though it lacks full U.S. acceptance. Additionally, a prospective deal involving Israel and Saudi Arabia, aiming for a cease-fire, hostage release, and resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict, is being closely watched. This deal places a particular emphasis on securing Israel against Iranian threats.

As the situation develops, the U.S. is monitoring the potential use of its defense articles in any Israeli military action against Rafah, a concern underscored by the recent Israeli airstrike on the southern Gaza Strip. The complex interplay of national security, human rights, and political strategy continues to shape the discourse on U.S. foreign policy and the future of the U.S.-Israel strategic relationship.

Conservative Bias:

In a blatant display of weakness and betrayal, the Biden administration has shamelessly kowtowed to the radical left by delaying crucial military support to our stalwart ally Israel, emboldening terrorists and jeopardizing global security. This spineless decision to withhold a critical weapons shipment is nothing short of appeasement to the anti-Semitic factions within the Democratic Party and the unruly mobs on college campuses, who would rather side with Hamas terrorists than uphold the principles of freedom and democracy. The President's failure to stand with Israel in its righteous fight against terror is a stark reminder of the liberal agenda to undermine American exceptionalism and the safety of our allies. It's a dark day when political gamesmanship dictates national security, leaving Israel to fend for itself against the clear and present dangers posed by Iran and its proxies.

Liberal Bias:

Once again, the conservative war machine has been thwarted in its relentless pursuit to fuel conflict, as President Biden courageously puts a halt to a weapons shipment to Israel, signaling a long-overdue reassessment of our blind support for actions that t****le on human rights. This administration's pause is a beacon of hope for those seeking justice and the protection of innocent lives in the face of potential Israeli aggression against the civilians of Rafah. It is a testament to the moral compass that guides true leadership, standing up against the hawkish cries from the right-wing zealots who are all too eager to drop bombs rather than seek peace. Biden's stance is a clear rebuke of the Republican's dangerous and outdated policy of unconditional military aid, which only serves to perpetuate violence and instability in a region crying out for a just and lasting resolution.

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