Bolton slams Biden for 'unprecedented' US, 'Israel' break in allyship

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Hill
12 May 2024 21:48
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The Former National Security Advisor criticizes the recent actions of the US government under President Joe Biden, describing them as an "unprecedented" strain on the relationship between the US and "Israel".

Then-National Security Advisor John Bolton attends a meeting with former President Donald Trump at the G7 summit in Biarritz, France, Aug. 26, 2019. (AP)

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton condemned President Biden's decision to potentially withhold weapons from "Israel" if it invades Rafah, labeling it as an "unprecedented" break in the longstanding alliance.

Bolton spoke with John Catsimatidis on The Cats Roundtable radio show, where he underscored that US involvement in the war on the Gaza Strip has "come to an amazing point."

The comments by Bolton come after US President Joe Biden announced the halt of weapons shipments to "Israel" claiming concern over Palestinians in the densely populated and formerly alleged "safe zone", Rafah.

According to Bolton, "This is the kind of break between the US and Israel that is just unprecedented, to put this sort of pressure on an American ally like that in the middle of what they see as an existential threat."

Bolton further suggested that Biden's decision might be influenced by pressure from "the left wing of the Democratic Party and the concern that they would stay home in November."

He also speculated that there could be significant undisclosed discussions happening, as indicated by the lack of a direct response from the Israeli occupation government to Biden's statements; the only comment was by occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu where he claimed "Israel" would stand alone if it had to.

Bolton expressed that he had never witnessed anything like Biden’s threat to potentially cut off "Israel", stating that proceeding with their plans could lead to significant consequences. He criticized this as a demonstration of weakness by Biden and argued that it sends a detrimental message to global powers like Russia and China.

"I mean, if we won’t come to Israel’s support, what are we going to do … if Russia or China threatened countries along their borders that are not so close to the United States?" Bolton said before adding, "I mean, people have to wonder … if we’re not going to follow through on our commitments to Israel, who will we follow through on?"

Blinken defends decision to pause 3,500 bombs delivery to 'Israel'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken explained on ABC News' This Week that the US has temporarily halted a shipment of 3,500 bombs, made up of 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs, to "Israel", allegedly for concerns that they would potentially be used in Rafah, where approximately 1.4 million Palestinians were forcefully displaced to under the pretext of a "safe zone".

Blinken claimed that this suspension is specific to this shipment and is based on the absence of a credible Israeli plan to protect Palestinians in Rafah. He also reiterated US President Joe Biden’s commitment to supporting "Israel's" right to "defend itself", noting that further restrictions on arms deliveries might be considered if "Israel" proceeds with a full-scale invasion of Rafah.

Earlier, according to Blinken, Biden had made a clear statement addressing Tel Aviv, alleging that if Israeli occupation forces launch this major military operation on Rafah, "then there are certain systems that we're not going to be supporting and supplying for that operation," adding, "We have real concerns about the way they're used."

Biden further told Tel Aviv, as cited by Blinken, that "Israel" needs to "have a clear, credible plan to protect civilians, which we haven't seen."