US President Biden’s Decision to Stop Arms Shipments to Israel Causes Outcry in Congress

US President Joe Biden’s threat to halt arms shipments to Israel in response to a large-scale ground operation in the Rafah region of Gaza has caused a political storm in Washington. The decision provoked serious reactions, especially from the Republican wing of Congress.

Republican leaders called President Biden’s move “jeopardizing Israel’s security” and “sending the wrong message to allies.” House Foreign Affairs Committee Republican Chairman Michael McCaul and Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers sharply criticized the decision. “We are shocked by this decision and find it unacceptable,” they said in a joint statement.

White House Secret Decision?

Republican leaders also suggested that the Biden administration made this decision “in secret” and “hid” it from the American people and Congress. The fact that no official announcement has yet been made has further fueled these allegations.

During a hearing in the US Senate, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin came under intense criticism from Republican Senators. They argued that halting the arms shipments sends the “wrong message” to Israel and could embolden actors like Iran. Austin responded, “We have not made any final decisions. We are currently reviewing some near-term security shipments based on developments in the Rafah region.”

State Department Spokesperson Miller’s Remarks

In a statement to reporters, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis and the situation of civilians in the Rafah area of Gaza. In this context, other arms shipments to Israel are also under review, Miller said.

Senator Cotton Calls for Impeachment

Texas Senator and Republican Party member Tom Cotton called for President Biden’s impeachment. In a statement on social media, Cotton described Biden’s move as “a maneuver for re-election” and stated that “Congress has no other choice.”

Biden and Israel Policy

In an interview with CNN, President Biden made it clear that if Israel launches a large-scale attack on Rafah, he will not send weapons to that country. This statement was criticized by Israel’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Gilad Erdan. Erdan called Biden’s position “frustrating” and a “disappointing” step.

Conclusion and Next Steps

This decision of the Biden administration could be an important turning point in American foreign policy. In the context of the long-standing strategic partnership with Israel, this development may take relations between the two countries to a new dimension. The steps that Congress and the White House will take on this issue in the coming days will directly affect regional security dynamics.