Biden Administration Pauses Weapons to Israel

Emgage Action welcomes the recent announcement by the Biden Administration to pause further offensive weapons transfers to Israel, should it invade Rafah. This decision is long overdue and one that most Americans have been calling for. It is crucial that Prime Minister Netanyahu is made to understand, in credible ways, that U.S. support is not unconditional and certainly will not continue if Israel continues to ignore official U.S. policy opposing a Rafah operation. While this measure alone is insufficient in addressing the catastrophe that has unfolded in Gaza, which includes over 40,000 killed Palestinians, including children, this is nevertheless a significant step. As countless humanitarian organizations and experts have warned, there is no possible way for the Israeli military to carry out an operation in Rafah without inflicting severe harm upon over one million civilians who are currently sheltering there. We hope that this decision by the White House is heeded by the Israeli government to avert further suffering in Gaza and the wider region. We urge the White House to ignore pro-war voices that are already clamoring to undermine this recent decision. Only a permanent ceasefire can bring an end to the death and destruction in Gaza, avert a regional war, and allow both Palestinian and Israeli prisoners and hostages to be reunited with their loved ones.