By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – There was concern Monday that Israel would face difficulties defending itself against a massive attack by Hezbollah because U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration is reportedly holding up seven weapon systems to the Jewish state.
U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed his frustration about the military difficulties faced by Israel on Fox News Sunday television.
“This is what is most disturbing to me—is that we’re withholding weapon systems that I have signed off on and Congress has appropriated with the intent of sending those weapons to Israel,” added the Republican from Texas.
“Remember the supplemental? They were effectively withholding seven weapon systems,” McCaul said in the televised remarks seen by Worthy News.
“I can’t get into the details,” the congressman cautioned. “That is not helping Israel.”
The comments by the well-informed high-ranking politician came despite Biden’s denials that his team withheld weapons from Israel. “We’ve provided Israel with all the weapons they need and when they need them,” Biden said last week.
WEAKENED HAMAS
He added that Israel had “greatly weakened” Hamas in Gaza following its October 7 attack on southern Israel when it killed some 1,200 people and kidnapped about 250 others.
Hezbollah, seen as an Islamic terrorist organization by Israel and many of its allies, is supporting Hamas.
Israel needs more advanced weapons to fully defend itself against Hezbollah, McCaul and others suggested.
Air Force General Charles Q. Brown, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the United States would have difficulty defending the Jewish state against a Hezbollah attack.
“I respect him, General Brown. I know him, but the fact is we’re not helping them,” McCaul said of Israel.
His remarks came while numerous countries began evacuating citizens from Lebanon or advised them to leave the country ahead of a possible all-out war between Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters and Israel.
NATIONAL SECURITY
Robert Greenway, director of the Allison Center for National Security at the Heritage Foundation, a respected think tank, complained that while the Biden administration held up seven arms shipments, Iran sent weapons to Hezbollah.
David Milstein, a former adviser to U.S. State of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s presidential campaign, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was right to publicly state it was “inconceivable” that the Biden administration was withholding weapons from Israel.
“Those who criticized him were wrong,” Milstein wrote. McCaul shared that frustration.
Congressman McCaul noted that the Biden administration also limits wartorn Kyiv in its ability to strike back at Russia, which began invading Ukraine in February 2022.
“Either give them everything [weapons] to win or get out. Don’t tie one hand behind their back,” he said. “They are doing it with Ukraine, and they are also doing it with Israel.”
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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