Former Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney expressed her disapproval of President Joe Biden’s decision to withhold a weapons shipment to Israel in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The package included nearly 3,500 bombs, and Biden’s move was in response to the potential Israeli military invasion of the southern Gazan city of Rafah, where more than 1 million displaced Palestinians are currently sheltering. Cheney emphasized in her post that America must not abandon Israel and that withholding aid to the country is both wrong and dangerous. She warned that not supplying Israel with military aid would mean victory for Iran and its terrorist allies.
President Biden justified his decision to pause the arms delivery by stating that civilians had been killed in Gaza as a result of the bombs, particularly the 2,000-pound bombs included in the shipment. The President made it clear that if Israel were to go into Rafah, he would not supply the weapons historically used in dealing with the situation. Despite this, Biden reiterated that the U.S. would continue to ensure Israel’s security by supporting their air defense system, Iron Dome, and their ability to respond to attacks from the Middle East. This pause in military support marks a significant shift in the President’s stance on Israel and is the first known instance of such action since the conflict began.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a large number of casualties on both sides, with more than 34,500 Palestinians and nearly 1,200 Israelis killed. Additionally, nearly 250 hostages were taken during the Hamas attack on Israel. Former Representative Liz Cheney’s stance on the issue aligns with that of the Republican leadership, as Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell expressed concern over the pause in weapons shipments to Israel. They wrote a letter to President Biden questioning his commitment to Israel’s security and warning that such actions could embolden Israel’s enemies, such as Iran and Iranian-backed terrorists.
The city of Rafah, where the potential Israeli military invasion is looming, is a critical area due to its location on the border with Egypt and its status as the main entry point for aid to the region. More than a million displaced Palestinians are currently living in tents and makeshift housing in the city’s refugee camp. President Biden’s decision to withhold the weapons shipment is seen as a means to prevent further civilian casualties in the conflict. The situation in Rafah underscores the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict and the challenges of balancing support for Israel’s security with humanitarian concerns for those affected by the violence in the region.
As one of Israel’s biggest allies, the U.S. provides significant economic and military assistance to the country annually. The Council on Foreign Relations think tank estimates that the U.S. provides around $3.8 billion in aid to Israel each year. However, President Biden’s decision to pause the arms delivery reflects a growing concern over the humanitarian toll of the conflict and a desire to prevent further civilian casualties. The President’s commitment to ensuring Israel’s security while also addressing the human cost of the conflict highlights the delicate balance that must be struck in navigating the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The debate over U.S. military support for Israel highlights the challenges of maintaining a strong alliance while also addressing humanitarian concerns in conflict zones. Former Representative Liz Cheney and other Republican leaders have expressed concerns over the pause in weapons shipments to Israel, warning of potential risks to Israel’s security and emboldening its enemies. Meanwhile, President Biden has emphasized the need to prevent further civilian casualties and is working to strike a balance between supporting Israel’s security needs and addressing the humanitarian crisis in the region. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to present complex challenges that require careful navigation and proactive efforts to address the root causes of violence and instability in the region.
