On The Ben Shapiro Show, Shapiro examines President Biden's decision to withhold shipments of precision bombs to Israel during recent military conflicts. While Biden claims this move aims to minimize civilian casualties, Shapiro argues it could backfire, potentially forcing Israel to use less precise munitions and thus increasing collateral damage.
Shapiro suggests Biden appeases progressive Democrats critical of Israel and may embolden hostile groups with this policy shift. He raises concerns over violations of aid agreements and accusations of siding with Hamas over a democratic ally. The episode dissects Biden's motivations and the broader political and strategic implications of halting arms transfers.
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According to Joe Biden, his decision to pause the shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel aimed to minimize potential civilian casualties. Critics argue Biden has provided no clear strategies for Israel to achieve objectives while limiting casualties.
Ben Shapiro suggests Biden appeases Democrats critical of Israel, citing Biden's response to protestors calling him "genocide Joe" as evidence he's swayed by the party's progressive wing.
Shapiro warns withholding precision bombs could force Israel to use less precise weapons, leading to more civilian deaths, undermining Biden's stated goal.
Shapiro argues Biden signaling "daylight" between the U.S. and Israel may encourage aggression from groups like Hezbollah, who may perceive the U.S. pulling back support.
Biden's approach purportedly weakens Israel's leverage to negotiate release of American hostages held by Hamas, as Hamas has less incentive to cooperate.
Shapiro accuses Biden of violating the Impoundment Control Act by withholding Congressionally-approved military aid without justification. GOP leaders demand timelines and explanations.
Biden faces bipartisan criticism that halting arms transfers takes Hamas' side over democratic ally Israel, signaling a damaging political shift.
1-Page Summary
Joe Biden faces scrutiny for his decision to pause the shipment of 2,000-pound U.S. bombs to Israel, framing the action as a bid to minimize civilian casualties in potential offensives on Rafah.
Critics of Biden point out that while he claims Israel's use of bombs has caused civilian deaths, he has not provided Israel with specific military strategies that would limit casualties while achieving their objectives. Furthermore, Biden has been criticized for not acknowledging Israel's efforts to evacuate civilians from targeted areas before strikes.
Shapiro criticizes Biden for failing to offer clear guidelines on when Israel could employ offensive weapons. This lack of clarity, he suggests, could inadvertently embolden Hamas to use civilians as human shields, leveraging the absence of a defined strategy to their advantage.
Biden, when confronted with protestors labeling him "genocide Joe," indicates that he hears th ...
Biden's Rationale and Justification for Withholding Weapons from Israel
Shapiro criticizes Biden for considering an arms embargo against Israel amidst a conflict with Hamas. He argues that denying Israel targeted weapons, which are designed to minimize civilian casualties, could lead to Israel having to use less precise and more destructive munitions, resulting in increased civilian casualties. Shapiro iterates this point, underscoring the potential for higher civilian casualties due to Biden's withholding of these munitions.
Additionally, Shapiro warns that Biden demonstrating daylight between Israel and the United States may lead to more aggressive posturing by groups like Hezbollah and countries like Iran. Shapiro suggests that this perceived distance may embolden Hezbollah to open a northern front and signal to Iran that the U.S might not resupply Israel in the event of a conflict. The concern is that such a division signals weakness and may prompt more assertiveness from Israel's adversaries, believing that the U.S. may not fully back Israel militarily.
Shapiro criticizes the Biden administration's approach toward Israel, indicating that this stance weakens Israel's negotiating po ...
Potential Negative Consequences of Biden's Decision
Ben Shapiro and others have raised concerns about the legality and political implications of President Biden's decision to withhold military aid to Israel.
Joe Biden is accused by Ben Shapiro of unilaterally deciding to withhold weapons shipments to Israel, in violation of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Shapiro states that the Biden administration is sitting on a deal that includes various munitions, implying that the aid had been previously arranged and is now being withheld. This decision contradicts Congress's appropriation of funds specifically for military aid to Israel. Biden has not provided Congress with the required justification or timeline for his review of the arms shipments, says Shapiro, creating a conflict with existing aid agreements and statutory obligations.
Representative Brad Sherman emphasizes that the Congressionally appropriated funds for Israel have to be used as designated, suggesting Biden's delay or withholding of these funds requires proper justification and adherence to a timeline, which has not been provided. Republicans have expressed difficulty in obtaining information from the Department of State or Defense regarding the halted weapons transfers. Moreover, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell have demanded explanations from Biden regarding the review's timing, potential pauses to other shipments, the office conducting the review, and when the review is expected to conclude in order to allow vital assistance to m ...
Political and Legal Issues Surrounding Biden's Actions
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