House Passes Controversial Bill to Force Weapons Delivery to Israel

In a move that underscores the deepening partisan divide in Washington, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday aimed at reversing President Joe Biden's decision to pause a shipment of bombs to Israel. The legislation, which passed with a vote of 224-187, seeks to compel the Biden administration to deliver 3,500 bombs, including 2,000-pound munitions, to Israel. This decision comes amidst ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the militant group governing Gaza.

The bill, spearheaded by House Republicans, is seen as a direct rebuke to Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war. The president had halted the shipment earlier this month, citing concerns over potential massive civilian casualties in Rafah, a densely populated area in southern Gaza. The United Nations has warned that an Israeli offensive in Rafah could endanger hundreds of thousands of people who have sought refuge there.

Republicans argue that Biden's pause on the bomb shipment undermines Israel's ability to defend itself and sends a dangerous message to its adversaries. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell expressed frustration, stating, "I don’t think we should tell the Israelis how to conduct their military campaign, period." House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed this sentiment, accusing Biden of abandoning a key U.S. ally during a critical time.

The bill's passage in the House, however, is largely symbolic. It faces almost certain rejection in the Democratic-controlled Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has indicated it will not be considered. Additionally, the White House has stated that Biden would veto the bill if it reached his desk.

The debate over the bill has highlighted the fractured outlook on the Israel-Hamas conflict within the Democratic Party. While some moderate Democrats have expressed unwavering support for Israel, progressives have been vocal in their opposition to continued U.S. arms shipments, arguing that Israel's military actions in Gaza amount to genocide. Representative Ilhan Omar, a prominent progressive, stated, "My fear is that our government and us as citizens, as taxpayers, we are going to be complicit in genocide."

Despite these divisions, most House Democrats sided with Biden and opposed the bill. Representative Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic Leader, criticized the legislation as a political maneuver rather than a genuine effort to support Israel. "The legislation on the floor today is not a serious effort to strengthen the special relationship between the United States and Israel," Jeffries said.

Some Jewish Democrats, who have previously criticized Biden's pause on the bomb shipment, also voted against the bill. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida argued that the bill threatened U.S. national security programs and was designed to score political points. "It's being done to score cheap political points," she said in a floor speech.

The bill's passage comes as the Biden administration moves forward with a new $1 billion arms sale to Israel, including tank ammunition, tactical vehicles, and mortar rounds. This move has been seen by some as an attempt to reassure Israel of continued U.S. support despite the pause on the bomb shipment.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Since the October 7 attack by Hamas, which killed 1,200 people in Israel and took about 250 more captive, Israel has launched a series of retaliatory strikes in Gaza. Over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing conflict, according to reports.

The House bill also includes provisions to withhold funding for the State Department, Department of Defense, and the National Security Council until the bomb shipment is delivered. This aspect of the bill has drawn criticism for potentially jeopardizing broader U.S. national security interests.

As the conflict continues, the debate over U.S. support for Israel remains a contentious issue in Washington. The House vote reflects the broader political landscape, where support for Israel has traditionally been a bipartisan issue but is now increasingly a point of division. The outcome of this legislative battle may have significant implications for U.S. foreign policy and the Biden administration's approach to the Middle East.