In recent weeks, the Biden administration has repeatedly warned that it cannot remain indifferent to an Israeli operation in Rafah without first an operational plan to evacuate the Palestinian population in the area that is coordinated in advance with the United States. Therefore, we shouldn’t be surprised by President Biden’s decision to delay the shipment of precision bombs and by his warning that if Israel continues its invasion of Rafah, the United States will stop supplying it with offensive weapons.
According to President Biden, “I made it clear that if they enter Rafah—they haven’t gone in Rafah yet—if they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities—that deal with that problem.” It’s estimated that in addition to the Rafah issue, the US administration continues to be concerned that Israel has not presented a clear political strategy for the day after the war, in contrast to the US administration, which is still committed to facilitating a hostage deal that it believes will lead to reconfiguring the regional architecture. Furthermore, President Biden’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security as well as the extensive political and military support provided, allows him to believe that he can actively engage and influence the developments so that they also align with US interests.
The US election campaign and the opposition within the Democratic Party’s electorate are a factor in the Biden administration’s policy, but they shouldn’t be seen as the sole reason for the administration’s decisions regarding Israel. After seven months of war in Gaza, with the attention of the international community waning and as Israel faces a deteriorating situation vis-à-vis Hezbollah, it’s clear to everyone that Israel should continue to prioritize the American backing as a strategic goal. Without US support, Israel won’t be able to realize its objectives in the war for the long-term. Israel needs also take into account American interests to ensure US support. The Biden administration, for its part, intends to uphold its commitment to defend Israel, as was reflected by the coordination and assistance to thwart the Iranian attack on April 13 as well as the recent approval of a special aid package worth $14.5 billion. Therefore, Israel should stick to its current policy, coordinate its steps with the administration and, above all, understand that the US administration’s moves aren’t an expression of withdrawing support but rather a genuine concern that without both a hostage deal and a clear political vision for the “day after,” the alternative is continuing the war without being able to translate it into a wide political move that will ensure eliminating Hamas’s control over the Gaza Strip. The US administration won’t be able to assist in this, and the likelihood that the United States will have to take additional measures against Israel will increase.
In recent weeks, the Biden administration has repeatedly warned that it cannot remain indifferent to an Israeli operation in Rafah without first an operational plan to evacuate the Palestinian population in the area that is coordinated in advance with the United States. Therefore, we shouldn’t be surprised by President Biden’s decision to delay the shipment of precision bombs and by his warning that if Israel continues its invasion of Rafah, the United States will stop supplying it with offensive weapons.
According to President Biden, “I made it clear that if they enter Rafah—they haven’t gone in Rafah yet—if they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities—that deal with that problem.” It’s estimated that in addition to the Rafah issue, the US administration continues to be concerned that Israel has not presented a clear political strategy for the day after the war, in contrast to the US administration, which is still committed to facilitating a hostage deal that it believes will lead to reconfiguring the regional architecture. Furthermore, President Biden’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security as well as the extensive political and military support provided, allows him to believe that he can actively engage and influence the developments so that they also align with US interests.
The US election campaign and the opposition within the Democratic Party’s electorate are a factor in the Biden administration’s policy, but they shouldn’t be seen as the sole reason for the administration’s decisions regarding Israel. After seven months of war in Gaza, with the attention of the international community waning and as Israel faces a deteriorating situation vis-à-vis Hezbollah, it’s clear to everyone that Israel should continue to prioritize the American backing as a strategic goal. Without US support, Israel won’t be able to realize its objectives in the war for the long-term. Israel needs also take into account American interests to ensure US support. The Biden administration, for its part, intends to uphold its commitment to defend Israel, as was reflected by the coordination and assistance to thwart the Iranian attack on April 13 as well as the recent approval of a special aid package worth $14.5 billion. Therefore, Israel should stick to its current policy, coordinate its steps with the administration and, above all, understand that the US administration’s moves aren’t an expression of withdrawing support but rather a genuine concern that without both a hostage deal and a clear political vision for the “day after,” the alternative is continuing the war without being able to translate it into a wide political move that will ensure eliminating Hamas’s control over the Gaza Strip. The US administration won’t be able to assist in this, and the likelihood that the United States will have to take additional measures against Israel will increase.