us-house-passes-bill-to-send-weapons-to-israel-amid-biden-admin-s-delay

The Republican-led US House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday that would require President Joe Biden to send weapons to Israel in response to his delay in sending bomb shipments as he urges Israel to do more to protect civilians during its conflict with Hamas.

 

The Israel Security Assistance Support Act was approved 224 to 187, largely along party lines. Sixteen Democrats joined most Republicans in voting yes, and three Republicans joined most Democrats in opposing the measure.

 

The act is not expected to become law, but its passage underscored the deep U.S. election-year divide over Israel policy as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government seeks to eliminate militants who attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages, according to Israeli reports.

 

Palestinian authorities claim that at least 35,272 civilians have been killed during Israel's campaign in Gaza. Malnutrition is widespread, and much of the population of the coastal enclave has been left homeless, with infrastructure destroyed.

 

Republicans accused Biden of turning his back on Israel following widespread pro-Palestinian protests.

 

"This is a catastrophic decision with global implications. It is being done as a political calculation, and we cannot let this stand," Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson told a news conference with other party leaders on Wednesday.

 

Democrats also accused the other party of playing politics, saying Republicans are distorting Biden's position on Israel.

 

"It is not a serious effort at legislation, which is why some of the most pro-Israel members of the House Democratic caucus will be voting no," House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told a news conference before the vote.

 

Israel, a long-standing recipient of US military aid, is still set to receive billions of dollars worth of US weaponry, despite a delay in one shipment of 2,000-pound (907-kg) and 500-pound bombs and a review of other weapons shipments by the Biden administration.