President Biden's recent threat to halt weapons aid to Israel if it invades Rafah has drawn criticism from Israeli officials and experts, who argue that it undermines Israel's self-defense capabilities and emboldens Hamas.
In the wake of escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas, President Biden's stance on the conflict has come under scrutiny. After initially condemning Hamas and comparing it to the Nazis, Biden has backtracked by delaying deliveries of precision weapons to Jerusalem.
This reversal has sparked concerns among Israeli officials, who believe it sends the wrong message and could hamper Israel's ability to effectively combat Hamas. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared that Israel cannot be subdued and vowed to continue fighting Hamas and Hezbollah to ensure the state's security.
However, Biden's decision has also drawn criticism from some Israeli critics, who argue that he is pandering to the far-left of the Democratic Party. Chaim Noll, an Israeli author, accused Biden of betraying Israel, while Caroline Glick, a former advisor to Netanyahu, claimed that the Biden administration has abandoned the Jewish state.
Experts also express concern that Biden's actions undermine US interests in the region. Dan Diker, president of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, believes the US is actually punishing Israel by threatening to cut off arms supplies, which are crucial for its self-defense against Hamas.
He warns that this will embolden Hamas and send a troubling signal to US allies, particularly Saudi Arabia. Wim Kortenoeven, a former Dutch MP who converted to Judaism, dismisses Biden as a political opportunist who has reversed the pro-Israel policies of the Trump administration.
Kortenoeven accuses Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken of pursuing a "two-state solution" that would compromise Israel's security and embolden Iran and other hostile entities. He notes that Biden's reversal of stance comes after Israel's request for arms assistance following a missile attack by Iran.
The Biden administration maintains that a two-state solution is necessary for the long-term security of both Israel and the Palestinians. However, experts argue that it ignores the genocidal intentions of Hamas and other Palestinian factions.
Biden's critics warn that his actions may have far-reaching consequences, undermining Israel's self-defense capabilities and emboldening its enemies. They urge the US to rethink its approach and provide unwavering support to Israel, which faces a clear and present threat from Hamas and other terrorist groups.
