Seven months into the war in Gaza, on the cusp of a possible cease-fire, the United States is taking a more cautionary stance on military aid to Israel.
Last week, President Joe Biden paused a shipment of 3,500 bombs to Israel out of concern they would be used in a planned invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza, according to administration officials. This is the first time since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas that the U.S. has put military aid on hold in order to send a message about Israel’s military response.
Why We Wrote This
The role of the United States as a major backer of the Israeli military is coming under rare and rising scrutiny due to the war in Gaza. Our charts put the debate in context.
Overall U.S. political support for Israel remains strong. Yet Israel’s conduct in Gaza has prompted growing concern about the way U.S. funding and arms are being used.
This week, the Biden administration is expected to inform Congress about whether it believes Israel has broken international or U.S. laws in Gaza.
This moment may mark a turning point in how U.S. aid to Israel will be administered, says Linda Robinson, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. “Longtime supporters of Israel,” she says, “have now come to the realization that it does the U.S. and Israel no good to apply this blanket support for Israel, which has really cost Israel in the court of world opinion.”
Seven months into the war in Gaza, on the cusp of a possible cease-fire, the United States is taking a more cautionary stance toward the military aid it provides Israel.
Last week, President Joe Biden paused a shipment of 3,500 bombs to Israel out of concern that they would be used in a planned invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza, according to administration officials. This is the first time since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas that the U.S. has put military aid on hold in order to send a message about Israel’s military response.
And President Biden said today in a CNN interview that, while the U.S. is committed to Israel’s defense, if Israel goes into Rafah “we’re not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells used,” due to concerns for civilian lives at risk.
Why We Wrote This
The role of the United States as a major backer of the Israeli military is coming under rare and rising scrutiny due to the war in Gaza. Our charts put the debate in context.
The U.S. has long been Israel’s strongest diplomatic and military ally, and overall political support remains strong. At the end of April, President Biden signed an unprecedented $26 billion aid bill destined for Israel.
Yet Israel’s conduct in Gaza, where health authorities are reporting a death toll of over 34,000, has prompted growing concern about the way U.S. funding and arms are being used. Public opposition to Israel’s actions has intensified, especially on university campuses in the U.S. and abroad as students call for divestment from Israel.
Voices within the Democratic Party have called for Mr. Biden to take into consideration Israel’s conduct as a condition for providing aid.
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