Biden Administration Reviews Israeli Weapon Requests to Apply Pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu
ICARO Media Group
In a bid to exert pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Joe Biden's administration is reportedly considering holding back support for Israel, according to NBC News. The move comes as Biden's frustration with Netanyahu's refusal to heed calls for restraint and a two-state solution has reached a breaking point.
President Biden has repeatedly urged Netanyahu to exercise restraint and scale back attacks on Gaza, while also calling for the opening of humanitarian corridors to allow aid to reach Palestinians. However, Netanyahu has publicly rejected these requests, posing a dilemma for the United States, which has long provided substantial military funding to support Israel's armed forces.
The ongoing conflict and Netanyahu's defiance have put President Biden in a politically difficult position, drawing criticism from within his own party as well as younger voters who demand a more forceful push for a cease-fire.
To confront this challenge head-on, the Biden administration has tasked the Defense Department with conducting a comprehensive review of the weapons requested by Israel. The aim is to determine which items could potentially be used as leverage in negotiations. Israel has reportedly requested aerial bombs, air defenses, and ammunition.
While officials have indicated that the delivery of air defense systems will likely continue to ensure the safety of Israeli citizens, the supply of artillery rounds and joint direct attack munitions, which enhance bomb precision, may be scaled back.
The consideration of holding back support from Israel represents a significant shift in the United States' approach towards its longtime ally. With billions of dollars in annual military funding provided to Israel, this move is seen as a potential tool to apply pressure and encourage Netanyahu to reassess his position and engage in meaningful discussions towards a resolution.
The Biden administration's review of Israeli weapon requests signals a new strategy, aimed at finding a middle ground that reflects the international community's growing calls for an immediate de-escalation and a long-lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
However, it remains to be seen how Prime Minister Netanyahu will respond to this latest move by the United States and whether it will have the desired effect. As the conflict continues to escalate, the stakes for President Biden's administration are increasingly high, both in terms of domestic criticism and international scrutiny.
In the coming days, the world will be watching closely to see if this apparent shift in approach will yield any tangible progress towards a peaceful resolution and an end to the violence that has caused immense suffering on both sides.