Democrats blow up at Biden for halting weapons shipments to Israel
Sen. Fetterman and Rep. Ritchie Torres have called out Biden for promising to deny weapons shipments to Israel
By Jeffrey Clark Fox News
Published May 9, 2024 9:09am EDT
President Biden is under a barrage of attacks from Republicans and even Democrats over his vow to deny weapons shipments to Israel if it invades Rafah in Gaza.
"I suspect it's pandering to the far left," Rep. Ritchie Tores, D-N.Y., told Axios. "It looks like election year politics was driving it. That's my impression."
With the anti and pro-Israel wings of the Democratic Party already at odds over massive student protests against the Israel-Hamas war, Biden continues to oversee a divided party in advance of the presidential election.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., an outspoken advocate for Israel's right to defend itself from Hamas, told Axios that he opposed Biden's pause on weapons shipments.
"I strenuously disagree," Fetterman said. "We have to stand with our key ally throughout all of this."
Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., told the outlet that Israel is "surrounded by danger, they need the tools to defend themselves."
Other Democrats, including Rep. Becca Balint and Sen. Tim Kaine, signaled support for Biden's decision.
"I think it's what we've heard from ... all the wings of the caucus, that with Netanyahu continuing [to] threaten an invasion of Rafah, we feel like a message needs to be sent," said Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt.
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., also backed Biden's decision.
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