Several former Biden administration officials who resigned over the U.S. approach to Israel’s offensive in Gaza have welcomed President Joe Biden’s threat to suspend arms shipments as a positive step. These officials highlighted the need for a new policy and re-evaluation of whether security assistance to Israel is in the U.S’s national interest. Some U.S. staffers resigned over the continued transfer of weapons to Israel for its war in Gaza, with concerns over the human rights implications of these shipments, including offensive weapons like small arms. While some officials are cautiously optimistic about a potential policy shift, others are less hopeful, citing Israel’s past violations of laws and boundaries amidst ongoing conflicts.
During an interview with CNN, Biden stated that the U.S. would stop delivering weapons and artillery shells, including 2,000-pound bombs, if Israel launched a full-scale attack on Rafah. This warning sparked concern and outrage in Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicating that the country may stand alone without U.S. military support. Despite Biden’s willingness to shift policy and halt arms transfers, there are concerns that the “red line” for defining a full-scale assault is continuously shifting. Israel has already taken control of the Rafah crossing and humanitarian groups report difficulties in providing aid to affected areas.
Former State Department official Josh Paul noted that the administration missed a deadline to deliver a report to Congress on whether Israel has been using U.S. weapons in Gaza in violation of international laws. While Biden acknowledged civilian casualties in Gaza resulting from weapons sent to Israel, the contents of the report remain unclear. The administration has continued to provide weapons to Israel amid ongoing conflicts, with Paul emphasizing the importance of leveraging arms transfer to influence Israel’s actions.
The Biden administration has sent thousands of bombs and munitions to Israel during the conflict, despite Biden describing the bombing of Gaza as indiscriminate. Former officials expressed regret over the delayed decision to halt arms shipments and hope it will lead to broader conversations on U.S. security assistance to Israel. As negotiations to end the fighting in Gaza and secure the release of hostages remain unresolved, there are calls to increase pressure for a diplomatic solution and leverage military aid to influence Israel’s actions.
Overall, the response to Biden’s decision to suspend arms shipments to Israel has been mixed among former administration officials who resigned over U.S. policy on the conflict in Gaza. While some view it as a positive step towards a new policy direction, others remain skeptical about the effectiveness of this decision. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza raises concerns about civilian casualties and violations of international laws. Moving forward, officials call for a broader conversation on U.S. security assistance to Israel and the need for diplomatic solutions to end the violence in the region.
