President Joe Biden cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 11 that the United States could withdraw some military assistance if Israel entered the Gaza city of Rafah. However, this warning was not made public until three months later when Biden announced a pause in a weapons shipment to Israel.
Former Defense Secretary and Republican senator Chuck Hagel suggested that Biden felt compelled to take action to show that he would not tolerate further escalation.
In a recent interview with CNN, Biden reiterated his stance on the situation, stating that he had made it clear to Israel that he would not supply weapons if they entered Rafah. This move to halt the weapons shipment sparked controversy, with Rep. Cory Mills introducing articles of impeachment, accusing Biden of abusing his power.
A White House official dismissed these allegations as “ridiculous,” highlighting that the decision to pause the shipment was made in response to concerns about potential military operations in Rafah. The official also pointed out that previous statements had been made publicly about the situation.
Biden’s shifting stance on Israel has drawn criticism from various groups, with concerns about maintaining support from different constituents, particularly younger voters. There have been protests on college campuses expressing solidarity with Hamas and criticizing Israel, adding further complexity to the situation.
