U.S. Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) joined 46 of their Senate colleagues in writing to President Joe Biden condemning his administration for delaying weapons deliveries to Israel.
Tension between the Republicans and Democrats surrounding U.S. support for Israel has escalated in recent months as the November presidential election draws nearer.
Many Republicans, including Alabama’s federal delegation, have shown ubiquitous support for Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas since the terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023.
Republicans have also blasted Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for their treatment of Israel in recent months. A repeated criticism is that the Biden administration has delayed weapons deliveries to Israel, which Biden has consistently denied.
On Friday, Senate Republicans doubled down on accusations of weapons shipment delays, accusing the White House of using “stalling tactics” and endangering Israeli lives in the light of recent hostilities between Israel and Iran.
“This weekend, Hezbollah fired Iranian-made missiles into northern Israel, murdering 12 children and injuring dozens in the single deadliest attack on that part of the country since October 7,” the letter reads. “The ultimate responsibility for this attack rests with Hezbollah and the ayatollahs in Iran. However, while Tehran financed the attack and Hezbollah conducted it, your fear of escalation has left Israel exposed and our enemies emboldened.”
The letter claims that the Biden administration’s actions explicitly violate the will of Congress, as expressed in the recent supplemental that funded emergency military support to Israel.
“When Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly raised the weapons hold in June, your administration adamantly denied the accusation,” the letter continues. “You ignored Congressional inquiries, including a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Marshall, a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Ernst, a May 14, 2024, letter from Senator Risch and a June 20, 2024, letter from Senator Cotton. All the while, you were deliberately delaying the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and equipment to Israel. These include 120 mm tank ammunition, 120 mm mortar ammunition, light tactical vehicles, air-to-air missiles, F-15s, F-35 engines, joint direct attack munition kits, 2,000 pound bombs, rifles, and guided missile systems.”
The letter adds, “While your administration delays, Hamas continues to wage war against Israel, the Houthis continue to attack in the Red Sea, and Hezbollah continues its onslaught in northern Israel. Your stalling tactics are endangering our greatest ally in the Middle East and jeopardizing the lives of our American servicemembers stationed in the region. We urge you to use every available emergency authority to expedite the physical delivery of all weapons and ammunition to Israel that have been approved by Congress.”
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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