President Joe Biden is withholding some arms from Israel while the U.S. ally fights Iran-backed Hamas because there is political “desperation,” a top House Republican said on Sunday.
During an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) said that Biden has “equivocated” on his support for Israel as he seeks re-election.
She alluded to backlash against Biden in states with large Muslim populations as far-Left activists encouraged voters to send a message about their dissatisfaction with the Israel-Hamas war.
“This is about Joe Biden’s beleaguered and failing polls in states like Michigan. There is desperation politically,” Stefanik said. “Shame on Joe Biden. It is a betrayal of the importance of the U.S.-Israel alliance, that is the most precious in the region.”
Earlier this month, Biden halted the delivery of 3,500 large bombs to Israel in protest of a full-scale ground operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. House Republicans responded with legislation meant to pressure the Biden administration to provide the defense weapons to Israel.
Although Biden has threatened to veto the bill, House Republicans passed the legislation on Thursday — with the help of 16 Democrats who broke ranks with leadership in their party.
Stefanik asserted Biden had betrayed the “intent” of Congress because he previously signed off on legislation passed by lawmakers that provides aid to Israel and other nations.
“It’s unacceptable. We condemn it. And we will continue to stand up when it comes to standing strong with Israel,” Stefanik said.
In a show of solidarity with Israel, which began a campaign in Gaza to root out Hamas after the group’s deadly terrorist attacks in October, Stefanik traveled to Jerusalem this weekend and delivered a speech.
“I have been clear at home and I will be clear here: There is no excuse for an American president to block aid to Israel – aid that was duly passed by the Congress,” Stefanik told members of the Israeli Knesset.
“There is no excuse to ease sanctions on Iran, paying a $6 billion ransom to the world’s leading state sponsor of terror, or to dither and hide while our friends fight for their lives,” she added. “No excuse. Full stop.”
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