US House passes symbolic bill against paused heavy bombs to 'Israel'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 May 2024 15:19
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The bill passed by the Republican-led US House of Representatives condemns the "Biden administration’s decision to pause certain arms transfers to Israel."

A Palestinian man points at empty US ammunition containers in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on May 16, 2024. (AFP)

The Republican-led US House of Representatives voted Thursday to force President Joe Biden to end his hold on high-payload bombs approved for "Israel" but blocked over concerns about their use in the Gaza Strip.

The symbolic move, which has no chance of becoming law, is a response to Biden suspending the shipments over fears they might be used by "Israel" against Palestinian civilians in the densely populated city of Rafah in southern Gaza, where more than one million people are sheltering.

This comes as Israeli media reported that the obstructed ammunition landed in "Israel" on Thursday.

The so-called "Israel" Security Assistance Support Act would prevent Biden from freezing any congressionally approved military aid to "Israel", including 3,500 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs that he has put on hold.

Don’t be fooled by #Biden’s PR stunt.

Why? The US President disregarded the fact that more than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed by #American weapons before Israeli occupation forces began their operation in #Rafah.

If Biden, “Israel’s” loyal friend and a self-described… pic.twitter.com/msymRNjuja
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 14, 2024

The bill condemned the "Biden administration’s decision to pause certain arms transfers to Israel as Israel faces unprecedented threats," proposing withholding certain funding to the Pentagon and State Department if Washington does not deliver the frozen heavy bombs.

House Democratic leadership described the bill as "another partisan stunt" infringing on the president's ability to conduct foreign policy.

But 16 representatives from Biden's own Democratic Party joined the Republicans in passing the bill by 224 votes to 187, while 13 did not vote.

The legislation will be dead on arrival in the Democratic-led Senate and Biden has pledged to veto it in any case.

In addition, the White House announced a $1 billion-plus package of arms for "Israel" this week that includes tank and mortar ammunition.