Title: Biden Administration Considers Harder Leverage on Israel Amid Gaza Conflict
As tensions escalate between the Biden administration and Israeli leaders over the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the question of whether the U.S. will exert stronger pressure on Israel is at the forefront.
Critics argue that the U.S. could use leverage to compel Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, scale back its military campaign, or refrain from invading the city of Rafah, where many civilians have sought refuge.
Since the Hamas attacks in October, which resulted in significant Israeli casualties, Israel’s strikes have led to the deaths of over 30,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. President Biden has attempted to influence Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu behind the scenes while expressing unwavering support for Israel. However, tensions between the two nations continue to rise.
Israeli officials are set to meet with their U.S. counterparts in Washington next week to discuss differing opinions on the potential invasion of Rafah. Many former American officials are urging President Biden to exercise leverage to steer Israel away from what they deem a disastrous war.
The Biden administration has increasingly highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including in a draft resolution presented to the United Nations Security Council calling for an immediate cease-fire if Hamas releases all hostages. However, the resolution was vetoed by Russia and China, who argued for a cease-fire without conditions.
The U.S. holds significant leverage over Israel, particularly in the form of weapons aid. The U.S. is the largest supplier of military aid to Israel, with recent efforts to expedite arms orders amid the conflict. Halting or slowing arms transfers could send a strong message to Israeli leaders, according to current and former U.S. officials.
While some advocate for a harder approach, others, including Senator Jack Reed, oppose conditioning military assistance to Israel, emphasizing the strong alliance between the two nations.
In addition to weapons aid, the U.S. has provided diplomatic support to Israel in international institutions, shielding it from condemnations and resolutions critical of its actions in Gaza. The U.S. has also refrained from imposing sanctions on Israeli officials but may be considering such measures to address policies in the West Bank.
As the conflict in Gaza continues, the Biden administration faces tough decisions on how to navigate its relationship with Israel and address the humanitarian crisis in the region.
