The Biden administration's handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict has drawn criticism from both sides, with reports suggesting that the president is withholding intelligence and weapons shipments to pressure Israel into scaling back its offensive against Hamas.
In a move that has stunned both allies and adversaries, President Biden has reportedly threatened to withhold weapons shipments to Israel if the country launches a full-scale invasion of Rafah, a southern Gaza city. The White House has denied these reports, but sources familiar with the situation have told the Washington Post and Times of Israel that the administration is offering "sensitive intelligence" to Israel on the whereabouts of Hamas leaders if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declines to engage in a full-scale invasion.
The move has been met with fierce criticism from Republicans, who accuse the Biden administration of playing politics with the issue and appeasing those who are sympathetic to Hamas. Former Trump National Security Council official Victoria Coates told Fox News Digital that "if the administration has information on Hamas leadership... and isn't sharing that with the Israelis... this is deeply troubling."
Former Trump Ambassador to Germany Ric Grenell went even further, calling Biden's behavior an "impeachable offense."
The Biden administration's position has also drawn criticism from some within the Jewish community. Mark Tepper, a prominent Jewish donor and former ambassador to Israel, told the Jerusalem Post that "Biden's decision is a betrayal of the United States' commitment to Israel's security."
The Biden administration's handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict has also raised concerns among some US allies. Saudi Arabia, a close ally of the US and Israel, has reportedly conveyed its concerns to the Biden administration about the potential consequences of withholding weapons shipments to Israel.
The administration's position has also been criticized by some within the US military. Retired US General David Petraeus told Fox News that Biden's decision to withhold weapons shipments is "a turning point" in the US-Israel relationship.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for decades, and the Biden administration is facing pressure from both sides to end the violence. However, the administration's recent actions have raised concerns that it is not doing enough to support Israel and that it is appeasing those who are sympathetic to Hamas.
The White House has defended its position, arguing that it is working to end the violence and that it is providing Israel with the assistance it needs. However, the administration's actions have failed to satisfy many of its critics, who believe that the US should be doing more to support Israel.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas is complex and there is no easy solution. However, the Biden administration's recent actions have raised concerns that it is not doing enough to support Israel and that it is appeasing those who are sympathetic to Hamas. The administration's handling of the conflict is likely to continue to face criticism from both sides, and it remains to be seen how the administration will resolve the issue.
