Why does the United States continue to supply arms to Israel despite the ceasefire?
Last Updated on April 3, 2024 1:59 am
The United Nations Security Council passed resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian Gaza Strip, the release of hostages and the distribution of food aid last Monday, despite the United States repeatedly vetoing these resolutions. Long silent on the issue, the Biden administration eventually accepted a UN ceasefire proposal, but that too only lasted four days.
In the meantime, the Washington Post published a report last Friday which stated that the United States is giving billions of dollars worth of bombs and planes to Israel in the latest shipment.
According to a source familiar with the US-Israeli ‘trade policy’, the Biden administration recently authorized Israel to build 1,800 MK-84 907kg bombs capable of destroying an apartment block and striking at a depth of 11-meters.
The Washington Post also reports that this devastating weapon has been given to the Israeli Air Force which has caused 33,000 deaths in Palestine since October.
A group of critics reacted furiously after the news broke that the nearly $4 billion-a-year arms pipeline from the US to Israel was flowing completely unhindered.
Currently, the policy of the Biden administration is to continue to provide arms to Israel for “self-defense” in addition to the Palestinian cease-fire and food aid to Gaza. Critics say Biden’s policy is fueling both war and humanitarian crisis.
“This policy is like putting a Band-Aid on a cut finger, but you’re stabbing them in the chest,” said Jewish American peace activist Rae Abiliyah.
As a terrible famine begins in Gaza, Biden administration officials are faced with the question almost daily – what reason could there be to support Israel!
Whether Democrats support Biden’s current policies or not, the Biden administration is unlikely to change arms supplies to Israel, largely for both policy and political reasons.
A former senior Biden administration official said he (Biden) is not going to do it (cut off arms supplies to Israel). He believes wholeheartedly that Israel has the right to defend itself.
Joe Biden’s Commitment to Israel Given decades of close contact with Israeli leaders, his administration has been largely incapable of changing Israel-policy.
Former State Department official Aaron David Miller said that Biden considers himself to be “part of the story” of Israel. The State Department will release a formal report on May 8 on whether Israel is complying with international humanitarian law, said the former State Department official.
Miller said he would be surprised if the Biden administration ever made a ruling that Israel disagreed with.
David Miller said, Hamas is Israel’s least problem! Placing an arms condition on Israel would send a message to Hezbollah, the Iranians, and the Syrians and Houthis, who have the power to destroy Israel.
Source: The Guardian