Biden threat over Israel arms supply a show to ease domestic pressure: observers

For the first time, US President Joe Biden stated that he would stop certain deliveries of American weapons to Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a significant incursion into the Palestinian city of Rafah. Observers interpreted the move as a “show” staged together by the US and Israel to meet their own aims, and won’t alter Netanyahu’s determination to eradicate Hamas.

The US president had previously stopped the delivery of 3,500 bombs last week due to worries that American weapons could be used to cause further civilian casualties in Rafah. He announced on Wednesday that he would also prevent the transportation of artillery shells.

Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times that although the US is by far the biggest supplier of weapons to Israel, Biden specifically used the word “some” when talking about the halt in weapons shipments, which means the US still hasn’t ultimately altered its position of being a supporter of Israel.

With anti-war protests continuing at American universities and the November election looming, Biden finds himself behind Donald Trump in the polls, and his administration must demonstrate a willingness to enact changes.

Therefore, the decision to halt certain weapon shipments is seen as just a tactic to send a warning message to Israel, and serves as a temporary measure by the US to ease pressure for his own election interests, Liu noted.

In addition to suspending the shipment of ammunition to Israel, US politicians have repeatedly expressed “criticism” toward the country. Some analysts believe that these statements are nothing but “smokescreens” aimed at diverting public attention from Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza.

Not having support from US weapon supplies doesn’t mean Israel is out of weapons to sustain its bombing and attacking. The channels for military supplies from other countries including from Europe as well as reserves will allow Israel to continue its operation. Most importantly, the operation in Rafah will not consume large amounts of ammunition, Liu noted.