Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., disagrees with President Biden’s threat to withhold offensive aid from Israel if they proceed with a ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Cardin believes that military assistance to support Israel’s security remains in the U.S. interest and should continue. He released this statement in response to a State Department report released Friday, which raised concerns based on credible U.N. and non-governmental sources about alleged human rights violations by Israeli forces. The report documented credible allegations of human rights abuses by Israeli security forces, but did not specifically accuse Israel of violating international humanitarian law.
The State Department report also estimated that 34,700 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict with Israel since the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack. While the report raised concerns about the use of U.S. defense articles by Israeli security forces, it did not accuse Israel of specific violations of humanitarian law, noting that Hamas hides military targets behind civilian populations and infrastructure. Biden’s recent decision to halt a shipment of bombs to Israel created a political problem, as left-wing anti-Israel activists in the U.S. have criticized his support for Israel. Some pro-Israel Democratic lawmakers, including Cardin, have expressed opposition to Biden’s decision, suggesting it may be motivated by politics and the upcoming election.
Biden signed off on a pause of a shipment of bombs to Israel that could potentially be used in an assault on Rafah. The White House National Security Council kept the decision quiet until after Biden’s speech marking Holocaust Remembrance Day. Biden stated that he would halt some shipments of U.S. weapons to Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a major invasion of Rafah. The decision drew backlash from pro-Israel Democratic lawmakers who believe that the security assistance to Israel should be unconditional, especially since Israel faces threats from Iran and proxy groups like Hamas.
The Democratic Party is divided on their stance towards Israel, with growing protests at college campuses and a significant number of arrests during unlawful gatherings. Despite Biden’s decision, some lawmakers like Sen. Jacky Rosen and Sen. Richard Blumenthal believe that U.S. support for Israel should continue. The White House has refuted claims that Biden’s decision was politically motivated, emphasizing that the President is standing with Israel as they fight against Hamas terrorists who were responsible for the October 7th attacks. White House spokesman Andrew Bates stated that Biden is prioritizing national security and protecting alliances above political considerations.
Overall, there is a split among Democratic lawmakers regarding the decision to halt weapons shipments to Israel in response to a potential assault on Rafah. While some lawmakers like Cardin support military aid to Israel, others like Sen. John Fetterman oppose Biden’s pause on weapons shipments, arguing that the U.S. should stand with its key ally throughout the conflict. Despite the opposition, the White House maintains that Biden’s decision is based on national security considerations and supporting Israel in their fight against Hamas. As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, the debate over U.S. military aid to Israel is likely to persist.
