Backlash Over Biden's Decision to Pause Weapon Shipments to Israel

Publish date: 2024-07-24

WASHINGTON (TND) — Pro-Israel Democrats are openly questioning the President’s decision to pause weapon shipments to America’s ally. The decision is also rubbing some of his biggest donors the wrong way.

Republicans wasted little time piling on over the weapons pause.

It puts Israel's national security interests at risk. This is insane," said Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) to reporters as part of a group of Republican Senators who lined up to bash the President's decision.

Big Biden donors are also pushing back. Axios reports Biden megadonor Haim Saban reached out to the administration criticizing the weapons pause. His email said in part, "Let's not forget that there are more Jewish voters, who care about Israel, than Muslim voters that care about Hamas." Saban held a fundraiser for Biden in February.

Pro-Israel Democrats on Capitol Hill also questioned the pause.

"It demonstrates to Hamas that they are winning the PR war and things and also the president cares about the casualties, innocents in Gaza and Hamas doesn't," said Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.).

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Dr. Phil this week the weapons pause was a mistake.

"I've known Joe Biden for many years, 40-years and more. You know, we often had our agreements, but we've had our disagreements. We've been able to overcome them. I hope we can overcome them now," Netanyahu said.

The country is now preparing an expanded operation in the southern Gaza city where more than one million Palestinians are sheltering. Israel has ordered civilians to evacuate.

Another influential group, the Democratic Majority for Israel, also criticized the President’s decision. President & CEO Mark Mellman said there had never been a President more pro-Israel than Biden, but the political fallout of the decision with Israel supporters is unknown.

I think he did make a mistake in my view, but the real issue is what happens from here. Does this wedge get deeper? Does the divide get wider?" Mellman said.

Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), said on Fox News on Friday that Israel would have strong backing in the House chamber as other House Republicans were drawing up impeachment articles.

“Where is Joe Biden standing up to Hamas, he seems to want to go after Israel every single day and turn his back on our strongest ally in the Middle East," said Scalise.

Florida Republican Cory Millsannounced on social media he was drafting articles of impeachment for Biden because of the weapons pause.

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