The House passed a GOP-led bill to deliver defensive weapons to Israel, putting pressure on President Biden over his handling of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The bill would prevent Biden from withholding weapons transfers approved by Congress to Israel and requires any withheld weapons to be delivered within 15 days of the bill’s enactment. The White House indicated that Biden would veto the bill if passed, and it is unlikely to be taken up in the Democratic-led Senate. The House vote was 224 to 187, with some members from both parties crossing party lines in their votes.
The legislation would cut off funds from key executive-branch entities until any withheld weapons are sent to Israel, further increasing pressure on Biden. Biden had previously stated that some weapons shipments to Israel would be halted if a major invasion of Rafah, a city with a large civilian population, were to occur. This statement from Biden caused backlash from lawmakers in both parties, leading to the House vote on the GOP bill. Additionally, the Biden administration has begun the process of moving forward with a new $1 billion arms deal for Israel despite pausing the shipment of certain bombs to the country.
House Democratic leaders were urging their caucus to vote against the GOP bill, arguing that it would limit Biden’s executive authority and discretion in implementing US foreign policy. The Biden administration’s readiness to condition military aid on Israel’s actions marked a significant shift in the conflict with Hamas, drawing both support and criticism from various quarters. The US government believes that Israel may be preparing for a full-scale incursion into Rafah, but it remains unclear if a final decision has been made.
The House legislation also includes language condemning the Biden administration’s pause on certain arms transfers to Israel and calling for all previously approved transfers to proceed quickly. Democratic Rep. Adam Smith expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself against threats but raised concerns about the bill limiting the president’s foreign policy decision-making. Smith warned against setting a precedent that would remove oversight and accountability for arms sales, urging caution in unconditionally sending weapons to allies.
In conclusion, the House vote on the GOP bill highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the US government’s role in supporting its ally. Biden’s statements on conditioning military aid to Israel have sparked controversy and prompted legislative action, with lawmakers from both parties weighing in on the issue. The bill’s passage in the House and the subsequent discussions around it underscore the complexities of US foreign policy in the Middle East and the challenges of balancing national security interests with humanitarian concerns.
