President Biden has pledged to withhold offensive weapons from Israel if it invades the southern Gaza city of Rafah, drawing bipartisan backlash. While Biden continues to support defensive systems like the Iron Dome, the administration has quietly approved weapons sales to several Middle Eastern nations, including Lebanon, Iraq, and Qatar, which have been accused of supporting anti-Israel groups. Despite Lebanon’s ongoing boycott of Israel, the State Department argues that the sanctions waiver is in the national interest for stability and counterterrorism efforts. Similarly, Yemen’s waiver is justified for tackling regional threats posed by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Qatar’s waiver is attributed to the importance of its bilateral relationship for regional security and ongoing cease-fire negotiations.
