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GOP Senator: Pausing Weapons Shipment to Israel Poses Threat to US National Security

May 10, 2024 TruthUSA

Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Israel is prepared to “stand alone” and fight “tooth and nail” if necessary, in response to the delayed weapons delivery.

Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) criticized the Biden administration for postponing the delivery of weapons to Israel during the conflict with the Hamas terrorist group. Risch warned that this unprecedented decision would jeopardize American security interests and was being closely monitored by allies and adversaries alike.

In a Senate hearing on May 8, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin revealed that the Biden administration had delayed some munitions shipments to Israel due to concerns about civilian casualties in Rafah. Several GOP lawmakers, including Risch, expressed disapproval of President Biden’s choice to withhold weapons sales approved by Congress.

Risch emphasized the seriousness of the decision, stating that it would impact national security and be observed by both allies and foes.

Despite the administration’s claims of minimizing collateral damage, Israel declared its intent to proceed with military operations with or without external support.

President Biden confirmed on Wednesday that weapons would not be supplied to Israel if military action entered Rafah.

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Netanyahu Says Israel Will ‘Stand Alone’ If Needed as Biden Threatens to Hold Up Weapons Deliveries

The Israeli war cabinet approved the Rafah operation on May 6. Subsequently, on May 7, Israeli armed forces gained control of the Rafah border crossing.

President Biden acknowledged that Israel had initiated action in Rafah but emphasized that they had not crossed his outlined boundaries by entering highly populated areas.

In response to the potential lack of U.S. ammunition supply, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated in a video that Israel would continue its military efforts regardless of outside assistance.

During the GOP conference, Risch highlighted that Hamas pulled out of ceasefire talks and hostage negotiations following Biden’s statement, granting them a victory.

Senator Ted Cruz accused the Biden administration of being the most anti-Israel government in history and undermining Israel from the conflict’s onset.

He referenced instances where the administration discouraged Israeli retaliation against Hamas attacks, leading to further conflict and tensions.

Furthermore, he criticized the administration’s allocation of funds, alleging they were meant for Gaza and Hamas, not Israel.

“They claimed it was to provide military funding to Israel. We now know they were lying. It was instead to give money to Gaza and Hamas and everywhere else except Israel.”

Delaying Weapons Delivery

In a press briefing on Thursday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre justified the administration’s decision to delay the weapons delivery, saying the government does not support “a major ground operation in Rafah, a city now sheltering over 1 million people, since we believe there are better alternative ways to go after Hamas.”

She clarified that the delay was only a pause and that there was no complete stoppage of weaponry supply. Jean-Pierre reassured that the Biden administration’s commitment to Israel’s security remained unwavering.

The weapons shipment comprised 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs.

“We are especially focused on the end use of the 2000-pound bombs and the impact they could have in dense urban settings, as we have seen in other parts of Gaza,” Ms. Jean-Pierre explained.

Final decisions regarding the shipment had not been reached by the administration.

During the Senate hearing on May 8, Senator Lindsay Graham criticized the decision to delay arms delivery to Israel, citing the necessity of providing Israel with the tools to effectively combat their adversaries.

Former President Donald Trump also criticized President Biden’s decision, aligning with Israel and condemning the delay as detrimental to the ongoing conflict.

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