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Rather than showing unwavering supporting Israel in its war against Hamas, the Biden administration continues to undermine Israel by once again raising the forever bad idea of a Palestinian state, telegraphing that it will limit arms sales to Israel, and repeatedly opposing a major ground invasion of Rafah.
Reviving Support for a Palestinian State
The Palestinian Authority (PA) is calling for a UN Security Council vote to recognize Palestinian statehood this month. But meanwhile, the PA continues to support Hamas, the October 7 attack, anti-Israel and anti-Jewish screeds, and a recent report has detailed the extent that Palestinian Authority security personnel are themselves involved in terrorism. Additionally, a recent poll showed that over 70 percent of Palestinian society believes that Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel was “correct.”
Denying these realities, the US State Department continues to call for a Palestinian state and approves of the new Palestinian cabinet, while nineteen Senate Democrats urge President Biden to support a two-state solution. And President Biden is happy to pile on, claiming that “…the Saudis…and…all other Arab countries…[are] prepared to recognize Israel” if there is “a trade to a two-state solution.” [The Abraham Accords, brokered by President Trump and normalizing relations between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco, have debunked the canard that Arab states need to see a Palestinian state first in order to make peace with Israel.]
Calls for a Palestinian state are being revived internationally as well. Ireland, Malta, Spain and Slovenia are working together to recognize a Palestinian state, a move that Israel’s foreign ministry stated was a “prize for terrorism.” Additionally, France is reportedly calling for a UNSC resolution that supports a two-state solution in addition to a “permanent” ceasefire and a release of all the hostages. Canada’s parliament recently voted on language that supported the international community to work towards a Palestinian state.
Limiting Arms Transfers to Israel
The Biden administration is showing that it is beginning to slow material support for Israel. It still hasn’t decided in whether it will transfer $18 billion worth of arms, including 25 F-15s, which has been under review since January 2023. General Charles Q. Brown, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff recently admitted that the US is not providing Israel with all the armaments it is asking for. According to “senior defense officials,” the US may start to slow-walk shipments of weapons to Israel through “bureaucratic difficulties.” Israeli officials are concerned that a Rafah invasion would result in decreased arms shipments from the United States. Concerns about future US supply is so significant that Israel is now reportedly looking for alternative sources of weapons. This is significant, is that Israel imports roughly 69 percent of its arms from the United States and 30 percent from Germany, according to a recent survey.
Limiting arms to Israel has gained ground internationally as well. Canada’s parliament has declared that it will stop shipping arms to Israel. There are rumors that France and Germany may also threaten a boycott of arms shipments to Israel.
Opposing Major Rafah Invasion
The Biden administration continues to limit Israel’s goal to crush Hamas. President Biden told Netanyahu that “a major ground offensive in Rafah would be a mistake,” according to a readout of the call. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the US opposes a major ground operation in Rafah and that Israel risks greater isolation if it went further with such an invasion, comments that were echoed by State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. Meanwhile, Bibi has told Blinken that Israel must go into Rafah and defeat Hamas’ remaining battalions there in order to achieve victory over the terrorist organization.
By supporting a Palestinian state, contemplating reduced arms sales to Israel and opposing a major Rafah invasion, the Biden administration is isolating Israel and limiting its ability to defeat Hamas.
