In first, Biden admin. puts hold on ship carrying US arms to 'Israel'
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Anonymous Israeli officials expressed that this raised major concerns inside the Israeli cabinet and made officials worried as to why it was held last week as reasons remain uncovered.
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President Joe Biden leaves St. Joseph on the Brandywine Catholic Church in Wilmington, Del., Saturday, May 4, 2024, after attending a mass (AP)
Citing two Israeli officials, Axios reported that the Biden administration held up a shipment of US-made ammunition meant to be transferred to "Israel" – marking a first since October 7, Axios reported citing two Israeli officials.
The officials expressed that this raised major concerns inside the Israeli cabinet and made officials worried as to why it was held back last week.
This comes as the Biden administration voiced concern regarding "Israel" invading Rafah where more than one million displaced Palestinians are sheltering after their forced displacement from Gaza.
It is worth mentioning that back in February, Biden asked "Israel" to guarantee that its forces were using American-manufactured weapons in Gaza conforming with international law, and the occupation signed a letter guaranteeing that in March despite not taking any action.
With that being said, Netanyahu, in his statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day Sunday, stated, "If we need to stand alone, we will stand alone."
Last week, two knowledgeable sources relayed that Secretary of State Antony Blinken conducted a "tough" conversation with Netanyahu regarding the Rafah invasion, during which the former said "a major military operation" in Rafah would instigate public opposition by the US and would negatively impact ties.
A day later, White House spokesman John Kirby claimed to reporters that "Israel" sees that Biden "is sincere" as he talks about the possibility of changes to US policy regarding the war "should they move ahead with some sort of ground operation in Rafah that doesn't take into account the refugees."
Living up to demands?
Just yesterday, democrat lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives urged Biden to consider halting arms sales to the Israeli regime if it does not change its approach to its war on the Gaza Strip.
88 Democratic members of Congress signed and delivered a letter to the White House, stating that Washington should take a firmer stance toward its Israeli ally. The lawmakers expressed "serious concerns regarding the Israeli government's conduct of the war in Gaza as it pertains to the deliberate withholding of humanitarian aid."
Highlighting the Israeli occupation's restriction on US-backed humanitarian aid delivery to the Gaza Strip, members of Congress said that the policy has "contributed to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe."
They also urged Biden to make it clear to the head of the Israeli regime, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that placing any hurdles in front of aid delivery to Gaza risks Israeli occupation forces' "eligibility for further offensive security assistance from the United States."
Months after Biden pledged "unwavering" support for "Israel" in October 2023, Americans are now taking significant steps against their government's backing of the Israeli regime. This dissent is evident in widespread student protests that have swept through dozens of American universities. While the protesters' demands have yet to be fully embraced by US officials, this recent letter to Biden underscores growing dissatisfaction among Democrats.
