Biden warns Israel to stop sending arms if it attacks Rafah after seven months of strong support

President Joe Biden has never been more direct and blunt in his threats to Israel. The US President has warned that if an all-out attack is launched against Rafa, he will stop sending arms to his ally. “I’ve made it clear that if they enter Rafah – they haven’t entered Rafah yet – if they enter, I will let them in,” Biden said in an interview with CNN earlier this Thursday. “Will not supply historically used weapons.” His words not only put more pressure on Israel after blocking a shipment of 3,500 bombs, but they also underline the red line that was drawn weeks ago: an invasion of Rafah without a plan to evacuate the civilian population will not be tolerated by Israel. Will be done. USA.

The area in the south of the Strip is home to more than one million Palestinians who have come from other parts of Gaza to seek refuge from Israeli bombs. Biden’s words have widened the already existing distance with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. Washington may have cut ties with Tel-Aviv after the Iranian attack, but the rift between the partners remains deep. Last week, Biden had already decided to block a shipment of 3,500 bombs after Netanyahu’s intention to launch a military operation on Rafah without US approval was confirmed. The package in question included 1,800 900 kg bombs and 1,700 220 kg bombs.

Under international law, the use of 900 kg bombs in densely populated areas is prohibited. There has been long-standing concern among some Democratic members of Congress that the weapon has been used against Palestinians. For the first time, Biden has also spoken out on the issue: “There are civilians who have died in Gaza as a result of these bombs and other means of attacking population centers.” At the same time, the president also clearly acknowledges the country’s role in the Gaza war, which has already claimed the lives of approximately 35,000 Palestinians. This week Israel captured the Rafah crossing, completely isolating Gaza and suspending the entry of all humanitarian aid. Fearing the operation will escalate, Biden reiterated on CNN where the line is: “I have made it clear to Bibi (Netanyahu) and the war cabinet: If they operate in those population centers they will not get our support. ”

Washington is the main supplier of weapons to Israel: according to SIPRI, more than 70% of weapons imported by the Jewish state are North American. The blocking of this package represents a change in how the United States manages arms shipments to its partner, as in this case the transfer was halted due to the possibility that Israeli forces could use it in southern Gaza. Will cause land infiltration. In addition to this interruption of arms shipments, there is another element that could further deteriorate relations with Tel-Aviv: the State Department is working on a report that should be brought before Congress on whether Israel has violated international humanitarian law. Violated and prevented the arrival of North American humanitarian aid to Gazans. The findings of this investigation could have implications for relations with Netanyahu, especially after Biden threatened consequences if the Jewish state did not address the situation of the civilian population and humanitarian workers.

The preparation of this report was a way to silence criticism from the most progressive Democratic caucus in the Senate and thereby gain their support for the military aid package approved in late April for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Coincidentally, the deadline to deliver the lessons was this Wednesday, but the administration has said they are still working on it.

Criticism from within his own party and massive protests at universities across the country against the Gaza war are putting pressure on Biden that is becoming difficult to bear. Although last Thursday the President assured that the demonstrations were not going to change his position regarding the Middle East, the truth is that they threaten to become Biden’s personal Vietnam. There has been an increase in police violence, especially on campuses, and the number of people detained has already crossed 2,000. Even rapper Macklemore has taken sides Publishing a video clip criticizing Biden And he assured that he would not vote for it on November 5. In the 2020 elections, young people were a key group for Biden to reach the Oval Office and this fall they promise to be just as important again.

“Strong” support for Israel

Even though Biden’s words are clear and unambiguous, and go far beyond any previous warnings, they are still a very deliberate step. Balancing relations with Israel continues and this is seen in the CNN interview: “We are not going to walk away from Israel’s security. “We are taking away Israel’s ability to wage war in those areas.” When the President mentions defensive weapons, he is also referring to Iron Dome and Israel’s “ability to respond to attacks that have recently emerged in the Middle East.”

Washington’s official position has not changed since the attack on Rafah began: White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated that Israel’s commitment to security remains “firm.” Biden used the same adjective to define the role of the United States in protecting its ally this Tuesday at an event commemorating the victims of the massacre. Indeed, it is not clear whether only these 3,500 bombs have been retained or whether shipments of other types of weapons are continuing.