In what could aggravate the simmering US-Israel rift, U.S President, Joe Biden has threatened that his administration will stop supplying weapons to Israel if its military pushes ahead with an offensive in Rafah.
In an interview with a news agency, Biden said, “I made it clear that if they go into Rafah – they haven’t gone in Rafah yet – if they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities – that deal with that problem.”
“Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs and other ways in which they go after population centers,” Biden said.
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu is insistent to invade Rafah, despite repeated US warnings about the humanitarian impact on more than 1 million Gazans sheltering in the city.
Biden stressed that the US would continue to supply ammunition for Israel’s main air defence system, Iron Dome, which performed well in the face of an Iranian missile and drone barrage last month.
However, he said that Washington would not supply offensive weapons that would be used in an attack the US believes will be disastrous.
Biden’s remarks came after it was announced that his administration had paused the delivery of weapons to Israel.
The White House decision drew support from progressive Democrats, including Senator Chris Van Hollen.
“We should use the tools available to us to enforce the president’s objectives and U.S policy,” Van Hollen said.
He added, “A partnership must be a two-way street, not a one-way blank cheque.”
Independent Senator, Bernie Sanders also said in a statement that the pause on big bombs must be a “first step.”
“Our leverage is clear. Over the years, the United States has provided tens of billions of dollars in military aid to Israel. We can no longer be complicit in Netanyahu’s horrific war against the Palestinian people.”
Bernie Sanders
Israel Unhappy With Biden’s Decision
Israeli officials criticised U.S President, Joe Biden for threatening to stop certain arms supplies to Israel if it invades Rafah,
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, stated, “This is a difficult and very disappointing statement to hear from a president to whom we have been grateful since the beginning of the war.”
Erdan asserted that Biden “can’t say he is our partner in the goal to destroy Hamas while on the other hand delay the means meant to destroy Hamas.”
He suggested that the move stemmed from political pressure on Biden from Congress, the US campus protests and the upcoming election.
Erdan said that Biden’s comments would be interpreted by Israel’s foes; Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah as “something that gives them hope to succeed.”
“If Israel is restricted from entering an area as important and central as Rafah where there are thousands of terrorists, hostages and leaders of Hamas, how exactly are we supposed to achieve our goals?
“This is not a defensive weapon. This is about certain offensive bombs. In the end the State of Israel will have to do what it thinks needs to be done for the security of its citizens.”
Gilad Erdan
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich said that his government would pursue its goals in Gaza despite the U.S threat.
“We will achieve complete victory in this war despite President Biden’s push back and arms embargo,” he said in a statement.
He added, “We must continue the war until Hamas is totally eliminated and our hostages are back home. This involves conquering Rafah completely and the sooner the better.”
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