Staff Reports
The Biden administration has decided to dust off a delayed shipment of 500-pound bombs to Israel, proving once again that even a broken clock is right twice a day. This news comes after U.S. officials confirmed the Pentagon had previously put the brakes on delivering a batch of military aid to our staunch Middle Eastern ally, Israel, under the excuse of civilian safety concerns. That decision had some folks shaking their heads, wondering when aiding an ally in self-defense became controversial.
Back in May, when the Biden administration announced it was pumping the brakes, it wasn’t just about a few bombs. We’re talking 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs. Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder tied it to worries over damage if Israel used them in densely populated Gaza areas, primarily Rafah. It’s a bit like saying you can’t give a firefighter water because it might make things too wet. Anyone with eyes and ears knows Israel wasn’t planning a block party; they were looking to dismantle Hamas’s terror network.
But now, the green light is on for the 500-pound bombs while the fate of the 2,000-pounders remains trapped in bureaucratic limbo. The larger bombs are instrumental in Israel’s efforts to take out Hamas’s labyrinth of underground tunnels. Still, the Biden contingent is wringing its hands over potential “collateral damage.” Apparently, the administration missed the memo that targeting Hamas directly helps prevent larger-scale destruction and saves lives in the grand scheme.
Back in the spring, the talk of an Israeli ground invasion into Rafah sent U.S. and international leaders into a tizzy. To root out Hamas from one of its remaining strongholds seemed like too much common sense for some, who fretted over possible civilian casualties. Yet, President Biden, in full nanny-state mode, warned on May 8 of withholding offensive military aid if Israel moved their troops into Rafah, as if Hamas terrorists would be impressed by diplomatic scolding.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin echoed the hand-wringing narrative, suggesting the larger bombs could result in significant collateral damage. He praised smaller precision bombs but cast doubt on the utility of the 2,000-pounders in dense areas. That’s analogous to applauding a craftsman’s hammer for small nails while ignoring the need for sturdy tools to dismantle a fortress.
Despite these public disagreements and the consistent interference, the administration’s military support for Israel has been largely consistent, albeit begrudgingly. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently called out the U.S. for withholding weapons from Israel for months—a claim National Security Council spokesman John Kirby dismissed as perplexing. No surprise there, as this administration has shown a chronic case of selective hearing when it comes to genuine alliance support.
Perhaps, the Biden administration will wake up and realize that a strong Israel is not only beneficial for regional stability but also for America’s own strategic interests. Until then, it appears the dance around military aid will continue, with national security hanging in the balance.
