Biden Warns Israel: No More Offensive Weapons If Rafah Is Invaded

President Joe Biden stated that he would not send additional offensive weapons to Israel if the country went ahead with its invasion of Rafah.

For Context: Since the Oct. 7 attack, Biden has grappled with divisions within his party, with progressive lawmakers advocating for the Palestinian people in Gaza, and pro-Israel lawmakers pushing for Biden to support Israel and address growing antisemitism. Reportedly, over 30,000 civilians have died in Gaza since the Oct. 7 attack. Israel is now beginning to enter the southern city of Rafah, where it is estimated that over one million Palestinians are sheltered. The remnants of Hamas are also reportedly in Rafah.

Key Quotes: In an interview with CNN (Lean Left bias), Biden said that if Israel goes into Rafah, “I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated during a speech this week, “If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone, but we know we are not alone, because countless decent people around the world support our just cause.”

How the Media Covered It: The Wall Street Journal (Center bias) reported that the Biden administration intended for the move to be confidential, but the details were leaked by Israeli officials. A CNN analysis stated that the move shows that “even President Joe Biden’s staunch support can reach its limits when it starts to conflict with wider American national security and moral interests.”