In a recent interview on CNN, President Joe Biden delivered a strong message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Israel’s plans to carry out a full-scale attack on Rafah to eliminate Hamas. Biden emphasized that too many civilians in Gaza have already lost their lives due to U.S.-supplied bombs and other aggressive tactics targeting population centers.
Biden made it clear that the U.S. would not provide support if Israel proceeds with an assault on Rafah. He specified that weapons and artillery used historically in Rafah would not be supplied if Israel decides to attack. However, defensive weapons like Iron Dome would continue to be provided to ensure Israel’s security.
The President also acknowledged the concerns of young Americans protesting against Israel’s actions in Gaza, underlining the importance of free speech and peaceful protest while denouncing hate speech and threats against Jewish students.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also faced scrutiny over the decision to pause a shipment of high-payload munitions to Israel. Despite bipartisan support for emergency aid to Israel, Austin explained that the weapons shipment was halted as a precaution to avoid civilian casualties in urban combat situations like Rafah.
The move by Biden and Austin received backlash from Israel’s supporters in Congress, with some Republicans condemning the decision to withhold weapons from a key ally. They argued that the U.S. should not impose conditions on its support to Israel, especially during a critical time in the region.
The article also touched on other important defense-related topics, such as Russia’s situation in the conflict with Ukraine, the development of military capabilities, and discussions within the U.S. government on various defense and security issues.
Overall, the article highlighted the tension between the U.S. and Israel over military actions in the region, as well as the broader implications of such decisions on international relations and security dynamics.
Biden has let Israel down.