Is it time to end arms sales to Israel?
Democrats urge restrictions following World Kitchen convoy deaths


America's longtime military support for Israel is suddenly in doubt. Following the deaths of World Central Kitchen aid workers in an Israeli attack in Gaza, said The Hill, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined 30 other Democrats in a letter asking President Biden to reconsider a recently authorized transfer of weapons to Israel. The flow of arms should be halted, the group said, "if Israel fails to sufficiently mitigate harm to innocent civilians in Gaza, including aid workers."
Military aid to Israel has become a "flashpoint for the Biden administration," said The New York Times. The United States has sent tens of thousands of weapons to the country following Hamas' Oct. 7 attack that started the war. Now, though, pressure to restrict or halt weapons transfers is coming from a "vocal minority of lawmakers in Congress." Biden, meanwhile, has been "sharply critical" of Israel's conduct of the war — but has also "resisted placing limits on U.S. military aid."
That may be changing. After the World Kitchen convoy attack, per The Associated Press, Biden warned Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu that continued American support "depends on the swift implementation of new steps to protect civilians and aid workers." Secretary of State Antony Blinken backed Biden's warning. "If we don't see the changes that we need to see," he said, "there will be changes in our policy."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What did the commentators say?
The United States backed — or, at least, didn't block — a cease-fire resolution at the United Nations last month. If that's the case, Julian Borger said at The Guardian, "why do arms continue to flow" from the United States to Israel? Among the reasons: "Joe Biden's personal sense of commitment to Israel" has been honed over decades. So is a fear that holding back weapons might make Israel vulnerable to other enemies, like Hezbollah. But "the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza may be changing those calculations.
"Cutting off weapons to an ally in wartime would be the definition of betrayal," The Wall Street Journal said in an editorial. Liberals in the U.S. have left its partners in the lurch before — cutting off aid to South Vietnam in 1975, and turning against the war in Iraq when "the going got tough." The willingness to end weapons transfers "must overjoy Hamas," but it's no surprise: "Democrats have a history of abandoning friends in hard times."
The debate in Washington means Israeli leaders are "rethinking" their country's dependence on U.S. weapons, Herb Keinon said at The Jerusalem Post. A recent Gallup poll shows support among Americans for Israel is at 51% — the lowest point in 20 years. The number is even worse among the 18-34 demographic, "America's leaders tomorrow," where that support stands at just 38%. "No surprise, then, that reports are beginning to emerge about Israeli plans to start manufacturing more of its own arms."
What next?
The U.S. is Israel's biggest backer, but not the only one. Pressure is growing on other allies to stop their weapons transfers, as well. In the United Kingdom, more than 600 legal experts wrote to Rishi Sunak last week to warn the country risks breaking international law with its sales. And Nicaragua this week asked the International Court of Justice to order a halt to Germany's weapons sales to Israel, said the BBC.
Democrats in Congress could try to pass a "joint resolution of disapproval" of arms sales, Politico said, but that would have to pass both the House and Senate, and perhaps overcome a veto by Biden. That's a "high bar" to pass. And it seems unlikely: "The Senate almost never votes on resolutions to block U.S. military aid to Israel."
In the meantime, the clock is ticking. Before the World Central Kitchen attack, CNN said, the Biden administration was set to "greenlight" the $18 billion sale of fighter jets to Israel. The question now is how long American generosity will last, said one former defense official. "Who knows how long the barn doors will be open for?"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
UK-India trade deal: how the social security arrangements will work
The Explainer A National Insurance exemption in the UK-India trade deal is causing concern but should British workers worry?
-
Man arrested after 'suspicious' fires at properties linked to Keir Starmer
Speed Read Prime minister thanks emergency services after fire at his former family home in north London
-
Elon Musk's SpaceX has created a new city in Texas
under the radar Starbase is home to SpaceX's rocket launch site
-
What does 'conquering' Gaza mean to Israel?
Today's Big Question Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet has approved a plan to displace much of the Palestinian population while seizing and occupying the territory on a long-term basis.
-
Can Trump's team make the MAGA playbook work for Albania's elections?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION The architects of the president's 2024 victory are looking east to extend their populist reach
-
'The program long ago ceased to be temporary help'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
How could Trump ending a VA mortgage program leave veterans on the streets?
Today's Big Question Vets could face foreclosure as a result of the White House's actions
-
Why is Crimea a sticking point between Russia and Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Questions over control of the Black Sea peninsula are stymying the peace process
-
With Dick Durbin's retirement, where do Democrats go from here?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION The number two Senate Democrat's pending departure is a pivotal moment for a party looking for leadership in the second Trump administration
-
Elon Musk has his 'legion.' How will Republicans encourage other Americans to have babies?
Today's Big Question The pronatalist movement finds itself in power
-
Benjamin Netanyahu's Qatar problem
The Explainer Two of the prime minister's key advisers are accused of taking bribes from the Gulf state in exchange for favourable publicity