Congress is accusing President Biden of threatening to withhold offensive aid from Israel if it proceeds with a ground invasion of Rafah, sparking an investigation by the House Oversight Committee and raising questions about Biden's true intentions.
President Biden's alleged quid pro quo with Israel has ignited a firestorm of controversy and prompted an investigation by the House Oversight Committee. The committee is scrutinizing the Biden administration's decision to withhold offensive aid if Israel launches a ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., has questioned the decision-making process and timing of the announcement, requesting a briefing from the White House National Security Council and communications related to the aid pause. Comer expressed alarm at the administration's "willingness to play political games with U.S. taxpayer-funded assistance going to Israel."
According to Comer, Biden's decision was made public on May 9, 2024, but the National Security Council reportedly chose to withhold this information from the public for days to avoid overshadowing Biden's speech on Holocaust Remembrance Day. The committee is seeking documentation and justification for this decision, which Comer believes goes against the administration's pledge of transparency.
In a CNN interview, Biden stated that Israel would continue to receive U.S. support for defensive systems like the Iron Dome but would not provide weapons historically used to deal with cities like Rafah. However, in a 2019 PBS interview, Biden said that cutting off military aid to Israel was "absolutely preposterous."
The Biden administration has maintained that Israel was aware of the warning about offensive aid prior to Biden's CNN interview and stressed that Israel has not yet launched a full invasion of Rafah's population centers.
The House Oversight Committee's investigation follows its ongoing probe into the Biden administration's funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has been accused of ties to a Hamas terror attack.
The controversy surrounding Biden's alleged quid pro quo has raised questions about his commitment to Israel and the potential impact on U.S.-Israeli relations. Critics argue that Biden's decision undermines Israel's ability to defend itself against Hamas and weakens the U.S.'s credibility as a reliable ally.
Supporters of Biden's decision contend that it is a necessary step to prevent civilian casualties in a densely populated area and that Israel has other means of dealing with Hamas without resorting to offensive weapons.
The House Oversight Committee's investigation is expected to shed light on the decision-making process and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the Biden administration's intentions. The outcome of the investigation will likely have significant implications for both U.S.-Israeli relations and Biden's presidency.
