The decision by the Biden administration to pause the delivery of 3,500 bombs to Israel, including 2,000-pound bombs that have caused civilian casualties in Gaza, has sparked a debate on its potential impact. Will this move have the desired effect of influencing Israeli actions in Rafah? To answer this question, two experts in Middle East affairs, Ambassador Dennis Ross and Tom Malinowski, shared their insights on the matter.
Ambassador Ross, a former U.S. Envoy to the Middle East, believes that the decision could make it politically challenging for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to ignore the Biden administration’s stance on Rafah. While Netanyahu may face pressure from the right-wing of his coalition, Ross emphasizes that Israel still needs access to munitions for its security, particularly in dealing with threats from Hezbollah in the north. He highlights the importance of maintaining a strong relationship between the U.S. and Israel to prevent any potential conflicts and to deter Hamas from exploiting any perceived divisions between the two allies.
On the other hand, Tom Malinowski, a former assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights, and labor, raises concerns about the potential consequences of the decision. He warns that pausing weapons deliveries could inadvertently embolden Hamas and its leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, by creating a perception of discord between the U.S. and Israel. Malinowski stresses the need for a united front between the two countries to prevent Hamas from exploiting any perceived divisions and to maintain stability in the region.
The differing perspectives of Ross and Malinowski highlight the complexities of the situation and the challenges facing both the U.S. and Israel in navigating their relationship amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East. The decision to pause weapons deliveries to Israel reflects the Biden administration’s efforts to address concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza while also balancing Israel’s security needs. The outcome of this decision remains uncertain, but it underscores the delicate balance that both countries must strike in addressing the ongoing conflict in the region.
As the situation continues to evolve, the world will be watching closely to see how Israel responds to the Biden administration’s decision and whether it will have the desired effect of influencing Israeli actions in Rafah. The stakes are high, and the consequences of this decision could have far-reaching implications for the region as a whole.