U.S. President Joe Biden.

Biden’s Threat to Halt US Arms Shipments to Israel Over Rafah Invasion Draws Bipartisan Backlash

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U.S. President Joe Biden’s President Biden’s recent CNN interview remarks in which he said he would halt some shipments of American weapons to Israel if it embarked on a large-scale invasion of Rafah, the last Hamas stronghold in the Gaza Strip, has drawn bipartisan backlash on Capitol Hill and beyond.

“I made it clear that if they go into Rafah — they havenโ€™t gone in Rafah yet — if they go into Rafah, Iโ€™m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities — that deal with that problem,” Biden told CNN‘s Erin Burnett earlier this month.

On Friday, 26 House Democrats, led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (NJ) and Jared Golden (ME), sent a letter — which can be read in full HERE — to U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressing concern over the move and its impact on Israel’s ability to defend itself.

“With democracy under assault around the world, we cannot undermine our ally Israel, especially in her greatest hour of need,” the letter said. “Americaโ€™s commitments must always be ironclad.”

“We have a duty to continue to equip Israel with the resources she needs to defend herself and crush the terrorists who also seek to do America harm, free the hostages including the Americans, continue delivering critical humanitarian aid to innocent civilians in Gaza, and to stand by our democratic allies around the world,” it added. “When we abandon these duties, we leave a vacuum of American leadership for our anti-democratic adversaries to fill.”

On the Republican side of the aisle, House Speaker Mike Johnson tweeted, “Withholding weapons from Israel is a catastrophic policy. This will be devastating and go directly against the will of Congress.”

Speaker Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) also penned a joint letter to Biden expressing opposition to the decision, saying it called “into question your pledge that your commitment to Israel’s security will remain ironclad.”

McConnell tweeted, “@POTUS cannot claim his support for Israel is โ€˜ironcladโ€™ while denying Israel precisely the weapons it needs to defend itself. If the Commander-in-Chief canโ€™t muster the political courage to stand up to radicals on his left flank, the consequences will be grave and our enemies will be emboldened.”

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina urged Biden to “give Israel the bombs they need to end the war they canโ€™t afford to lose, and work with them to minimize casualties.”

Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas stated, “The Biden administrationโ€™s default foreign policy is to respond to aggression with weakness. Joe Biden is effectively placing an arms embargo on Israel.”

Meanwhile, Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania — who has emerged in the aftermath of October 7th as one of the leading pro-Israel voices in the Democratic Party — called Biden’s comments “deeply disappointing,”

More lawmaker responses to Biden’s CNN interview:

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee —

“While the most recent report regarding Israel under the NSM-20 has raised concerns, I agree with its assessment that Israel has not violated International Humanitarian Law and that military assistance to support Israelโ€™s security remains in the U.S. interest and should continue. In this regard, I differ with President Biden’s recent decision.”

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) —

“Joe Bidenโ€™s White House is the most anti-Israel in history. Just recently, the Biden administration halted a munitions shipment to Israel. ย  The Biden administration is aiding Hamasโ€™s war against Israel.”

Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Co-Chair of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism —

“We need to provide Israel with the unconditional security assistance it needs to defend itself and that demonstrates our unwavering support, particularly as Iran and its proxies escalate their attacks. The administration should not do anything that undermines Israelโ€™s ability to defeat Hamas and address mounting threats across the region.”

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) —

“The Biden interview last night on CNN is a reminder of why America & the world are in total chaos. We have a weak President, who has failed to solve a single problem & from the border to inflation is habitually dishonest.”

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) —

“I donโ€™t know what the president meant. I havenโ€™t seen what the actual operation in Rafah is, but I certainly hope that weโ€™ll continue to provide support militarily and diplomatically that Israel needs to defend itself.”

“I am worried about any appearance of division between the United States and Israel. The bond should be unquestionable and unbreakable.”

Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) —

“Never again, is now. I urge the President of the United States to not be the very first president to not stand with Israel.”

Representative Jared Golden (D-ME) —

“The Presidentโ€™s actions signal weakness to Hamas, to our allies and adversaries abroad, and at home. Congress appropriated funds for arms and ammunition for Israel, and they should be promptly delivered.”

Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) —

Biden replaced leadership with appeasement.

Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL) —

“While I am grateful for all President Biden has done since October 7th to support Israelโ€™s security and increase humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza, I am deeply concerned about the Administrationโ€™s recent decision to pause a shipment of weapons as well as the Presidentโ€™s comments about withholding security assistance to Israel. I fear the U.S. is sending dangerous mixed messages, not just to the government and people of Israel, but also to Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, about our support for our ally at its most critical time of need.”

Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX), Chair of House Foreign Affairs Committee —

“Telling Israel it cannot go into Rafah would be like telling the Allies during World War II they could go into Germany — but not into Berlin.”

Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) —

“We cannot release the hostages and get to a ceasefire if we reduce the pressure on Hamas.”

Representative David Kustoff (R-TN) —

“Just days ago, President Biden told Congress that the U.S. stands with Israel. Now he is threatening to halt resources and supplies to help them in their fight against terrorism. Actions speak louder than words. President Biden cannot play both sides of this issue.”

Representative Kathy Manning (D-NC), Co-Chair of House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism —

“The U.S. must continue to provide Israel with the support it needs as it works to bring home the remaining hostages, including Americans, who are being held in Gaza, defeat the Hamas terrorists who seek the destruction of the Jewish state, and bring aid into Gaza to help the innocent civilians who are suffering as a result of Hamas’s brutal attack and continued hiding among civilian populations.”

Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY) —

“President Bidenโ€™s decision to withhold congressionally-approved aid to Israel is outrageous. This comes a week after claiming his support for Israel was ironclad. Shameful.”

Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) —

โ€œIn countless conversations with U.S. and Israeli officials, I have underscored the importance of resolving policy disagreements privately to maintain a united front against Hamas. Any perceived daylight between our governments emboldens our enemies, undermines Israelโ€™s ability to destroy Hamasโ€™ foothold in Gaza and could be detrimental to bringing home hostages safely.”

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