In a move recently confirmed by multiple American sources, official notice was given to Congress about the intention to provide Israel with a sizable $8 billion armaments deal. This move cements America’s role as a staunch supporter of Israel, our ally engaged in an ongoing conflict with Hamas rooted in the Gaza Strip. The proposed arms package is set to include a variety of offensive and defensive capabilities, among which are mid-range air-to-air missiles. While a minor portion of the package will be derived from existing U.S. reserves, most items necessitate preparation over a timeframe of one to several years.
The aid package notably includes military staples such as 155mm artillery shells renowned for their long-range precision, and the dreaded Hellfire AGM-114 missiles. In addition, the package features 500-pound bombs, boosting Israel’s heavy munitions. This proposed sale is nothing new under the sun, but a continuation of a historical trend of extensive American aid to Israel. Notably, since Hamas initiated attacks on October 7, 2023, Israel has already received a staggering $17.9 billion in military support from the U.S.
The actions of the Biden administration in supporting Israeli military action have not escaped backlash and scrutiny. Cases of Palestinian civilian casualties have provided ammunition to Joe Biden’s critics, who have questioned his administration’s role in the conflict. Anti-Israeli sentiment has found sympathetic platforms especially on college campuses where demonstrations have been held, and there have even been attempts to halt offensive weapons sales to Israel within Congress itself.
The narrative of the Biden administration has wavered regarding the Israeli situation. In May, they expressed concerns about civilian casualties in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. This led to the suspension of a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel. This seemed to imply an American stance concerned about humanitarian matters.
However, the administration’s claims of prioritizing humanitarian issues seem inconsistent with its later actions. Despite demanding an escalation of humanitarian aid provided by Israel to Gaza, their stance took a notably different direction in November. The Biden administration, surprisingly, chose not to impose any restrictions on arms exports to Israel, contrary to threats made earlier if the situation continued to escalate.
Emphasizing the gravity of the circumstances, Israeli forces have recently heightened air strike activity in Gaza. The intensified offensive adds to the mounting death toll, which has seen tens of thousands of fatalities since the start of the conflict more than a year ago. The frequency of these airstrikes is adding heavily to the casualties, a fact that keeps Biden’s administration under the spotlight. Despite the scale of these actions, the Biden administration has continued their military support for Israel.
Israeli forces, on Friday, released a statement that they’ve targeted several Hamas gathering points and command centers across Gaza. This demonstrates their commitment to undermine the operational capacity of Hamas, their enemy in the conflict. The Israeli military claims that these targets are exclusively militant and that civilian casualties result from Hamas’s tactics of basing operations within densely populated areas.
The consequences of the conflict are far-reaching and devastating for the residents in the Gaza Strip. Almost 90 percent of the 2.3 million population has been driven out of their homes, and many have found themselves displaced multiple times. These unfathomable living conditions have prevailed throughout the onset of winter, leaving hundreds of thousands of people to seek refuge in makeshift tents pitched along the coastal line.
In light of these circumstances, the Biden administration’s actions and stances have opened it up to considerable criticism and reviews. One particular note to mention is that the informal notice given to Congress about the intended arms sale to Israel isn’t the final stamp of approval. Subsequently, there is still room for all sides to lobby and impact the decision moving forward, potentially exacerbating or alleviating the tense geopolitical situation.
In spite of the spiraling humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Biden administration has decided to continue its steadfast support for Israel. There remains explicit avoidance of any action that might limit Israel’s offensive capacity, even when the escalation results in civilian casualties. The administration portrays this stance as grounded in strategic diplomacy, however, critics will continue to challenge Biden and Harris on humanitarian and moral principles.
While the Biden administration’s strategy might align with traditional foreign policy norms, the dismissal of the humanitarian crisis ignites questions about its commitment to human rights, and its role in escalating the conflict, from both local and international observers. The absence of critical evaluation is seen by some as a failure to hold true to democratic principles, adding to the growing chorus questioning the Biden-Harris governance.
Government decisions, such as this weapon sale, inevitably shape the future relationship between nations and peoples. Hence, critics accuse the Biden administration of prolonging the conflict between Israel and Hamas, maintaining a cycle of violence through a constant supply of American-made weapons, and indirectly contributing to the loss of civilian life in Gaza.
The Biden-Harris administration’s perceived bias toward Israel and disregard for the mounting civilian casualties in Gaza have raised significant concerns about their foreign policy approach and adherence to international law and human rights. While they justify their stance as necessary to safeguard Israeli security, their critics argue that this approach is short-sighted and ultimately detrimental to peace prospects in the Middle East.
While the Biden-Harris administration applauds its support of Israel as a beacon of democracy in the Middle East, their response remains disproportionally indifferent to the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Some might argue that this unchecked support contributes to the perception of American foreign policy being manipulated in favor of Israel, undermining America’s standing and credibility in the region.