President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are sneakily threatening Israel and hoping you won’t notice.
Here’s what’s going on.
At a glance:
- The Biden-Harris administration is reportedly considering an arms embargo against Israel due to concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
- The potential embargo has been linked to a letter from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, which demands increased aid to Gaza.
- The letter gives Israel 30 days to comply with the U.S. demands, with potential consequences for U.S. military aid if not met.
The Biden-Harris administration is reportedly considering an arms embargo against Israel, citing humanitarian concerns related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This development emerged from a leaked letter written by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, outlining conditions that Israel must meet to avoid such a move. The letter expressed concerns about the aid flow to Gaza, which Austin claims has been blocked or reduced by Israel, although Israel maintains it has been expanding humanitarian aid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv7cbb1jFg4
The letter reportedly demands that Israel increase its aid deliveries to Gaza and end the “isolation” of northern Gaza, where the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have ordered civilian evacuations due to military operations against Hamas. In particular, the U.S. administration’s demands include Israel’s compliance with humanitarian standards, as outlined in National Security Memorandum-20 (NSM-20) and other U.S. laws, which tie military aid to adherence to international human rights norms.
If Israel does not comply with these measures within 30 days, the U.S. may reconsider its military aid to Israel, a move that would have significant implications for the country’s access to American weapons. The letter from Austin has stirred controversy, particularly since it focuses heavily on Israeli actions without addressing Hamas’s role in the conflict or the remaining hostages held by the terror group.
The potential for an arms embargo has been met with concern from pro-Israel advocates, while critics of Israel, particularly within left-leaning circles, have called for such measures since the conflict in Gaza escalated. Vice President Kamala Harris has previously expressed openness to discussing an arms embargo on Israel with pro-Palestinian activists.
The situation remains fluid, with U.S.-Israeli relations potentially facing significant changes based on Israel’s response to the demands outlined in Austin’s letter.
