Results for: US-Israel Relations

Anti-Israel protesters gathered outside the White House on Saturday, defacing statues, throwing objects at park rangers, and shouting slogans against President Biden’s support for Israel. The protest initially started peacefully but soon turned hostile, with demonstrators targeting park rangers and vandalizing a statue of Andrew Jackson. The demonstration was organized by Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER), and several barriers were erected around the White House ahead of the event. Some protesters expressed frustration with Biden’s policies, and at least eight White House staffers have resigned due to their opposition to his stance on the Gaza war.

Amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict, Israeli forces successfully rescued four hostages from the Nuseirat refugee camp. The operation, conducted on Saturday, came as the war entered its ninth month. Tragically, the Hamas-led Palestinian government reported that at least 210 people were killed and approximately 400 injured during Israeli strikes on the central Gaza camp. US President Joe Biden welcomed the hostage rescue and pledged continued efforts to secure the release of all captives and broker a ceasefire. The rescue mission adds another layer to the already complex and dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) criticized President Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, accusing him of betraying the U.S.-Israel alliance. Stefanik, who addressed the Israeli Knesset, emphasized the strong support from House Republicans for Israel, contrasting it with Biden’s perceived equivocation. She also defended her past speech in Jerusalem and highlighted the House’s passage of legislation criticizing Biden for pausing a bomb shipment to Israel.

Amidst the protracted war in Gaza, Israel has disregarded the United States’ plea to refrain from invading Rafah city. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Israel will not hesitate to act alone, stating, “If we have to stand alone, we will stand alone” and “fight tooth and nail.”

The US State Department has condemned plans by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to legalize dozens of illegal settler outposts in the West Bank. Spokesperson Vedant Patel described the reports as “dangerous and reckless.”

In light of recent threats from Iran, the importance of US military assistance to Israel has come into sharp focus. Despite opposition from both left and right, the majority of Americans still believe in Israel’s strategic and moral significance. Israel’s sophisticated air defense systems, developed with American support, have proven their effectiveness in repelling Iranian attacks. This partnership is essential for countering terrorism and protecting shared interests in the Middle East.

On the eve of the Passover holiday, Israel Air Force fighter jets launched strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, following a barrage of rocket fire from Lebanon into Israel. The attacks also targeted Hezbollah-linked facilities in al-Adisa and Arzoun. Israel’s Foreign Minister ramped up efforts to mobilize European support for sanctions against Iran’s missile program and proxy terrorist activities in the Middle East. The US State Department’s annual Country Reports expressed concerns over human rights abuses in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The US is considering sanctions against an Israeli army battalion, Netzah Yehuda, over alleged human rights violations against Palestinians. The unit has been under investigation for incidents of violence, including the detention of an elderly Palestinian-American who later died. The Israeli government has condemned the reports of impending sanctions, calling them “the height of absurdity.”

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down over the October 7 attack by Hamas, accusing him of being an “obstacle” to peace. Pelosi’s comments reflect the growing divide between Democrats and the Jewish state’s leader, with high-ranking Democrats like Chuck Schumer also criticizing Netanyahu. Despite her criticism, Pelosi emphasized that Israel remains a “friend” and that it is in the US’s national security interest to support it. She also praised House Speaker Mike Johnson for defying isolationist Republicans and securing foreign aid packages for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

With recent missile attacks by Israel on nuclear and military sites in Iran, there are concerns about further escalation and its potential impact on the global oil market. Israel’s actions may trigger a response from Iran, potentially targeting Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities or disrupting shipping in the Red Sea. This could lead to a surge in energy prices, which the US and China, key sponsors of Israel and Iran, respectively, strongly oppose. The US has indicated that it will not support Israeli actions that could significantly increase oil prices, while China is mindful of the economic risks of prolonged high oil prices. However, Israel may consider further attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities to delay its path to nuclear weapons development, which the US might not publicly support but tacitly tolerate. Iran, in retaliation, could escalate attacks on Saudi Arabia through the Houthis, potentially affecting global oil supply and prices.