The U.S. is also looking at options for a possible evacuation of Americans from Israel. Nothing has been decided, but one option involves putting some Americans on Navy ships.
How could Israel possibly need munitions after years and years of military subsidies? Especially just to fight Hamas (and do some retaliatory killing of civilians). This isn't a Ukraine situation where a major power is invading a weaker enemy who has had to choose between military spending and social spending, this is the more powerful country attacking a weaker insurgency while being continually fed funding for their military from a superpower.
We add a cool $5 billion to the Republicard every year on Israel's behalf.
But the thing is... war is good business. I'd be surprised if there weren't a legislator in Washington that hasn't already made a stock move based on their classified briefings on this event.
Hamas is the second richest terror organisation. Funding from Iran but they also grift 13% of all aid money going into Gaza via charges for currency conversion. "Not for resale" aid food products are routinely sold for profit in Gaza.
Hamas routinely chooses military spending over social spending. It's always been their way.
"The second richest terror organization" is like talking about the second toughest fifth grader when discussing whether a prize fighter needs help in a one on one fight.
Hamas routinely chooses military spending over social spending. It’s always been their way.
How is this remotely relevant? It's like you just scanned for keywords and then remixed them to make an irrelevant comparison.
Are you forgetting how the Americans funded the American Revolution against Britain?
When living under constant suppression, inequality, and a state of war (and a blockade IS a state of war), are you really looking for a peaceful solution?
The billions of dollars they've received is more than enough to have stockpiled a large multiple of whatever rockets Hamas was able to somehow build up in secret. "We give you $3.8B per year" should also mean "manage your own munitions when fighting a small insurgency". If they got into another war with Iran, sure, that could warrant big brother stepping in and turning on the missile spigot, but they're not even at war with an actual nation.
Last thing I've heard is China would be supporting Palestine/Hamas. If that were to translate into weapon supplies, it could turn into a hairy situation.
China hasn't even supported Russia with weapon supplies. This is fear mongering a what-if that contradicts Chinese foreign policy in the first place. China's foreign policy is one of fierce neutrality for anyone not encroaching on their own sovereignty, often to a fault.
China considers both Israel and Palestine to be strategically important allies in the region, so there's no way they're going to pick a side in this conflict unless that side is in support of one of China's more significant allies (Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc.)
To think republicans pretend like aiding Ukraine is the real problem.... yet They'll blow Netanyoohoo any time he wants. If anyone in Washington had a damn lick of sense they'd cut Israel off entirely.
While I agree that we very much need to take care of domestic issues, it's more complicated than that. It's in the global best interest for us to help Ukraine steamroll Russia. We're getting a bargain that way, rather than becoming directly involved in a conflict.
I was having this discussion worth my wife last night.
I'm hoping (but will not be shocked when it proves otherwise) that full-throated endorsement now will mean more effective censure latter when the Netayahu gvmnt begins a more obvious program of genocide.
If the US is reserved now, it weakens later admonishment. I don't expect it to make a difference. Netanyahu's brother was killed by Palestinian PFLP–EO militants, and he's not exactly rational about them. He's also a friend of Trump's, and that's definitely going to play into Biden's responses.
Incidentally, I've heard some Israelis referring to the attack as "their 9/11." I think that sums up how the current situation is being framed by the Netanyahu government pretty well.
Israel is such a small country that the percentage of population killed in these attacks is greater than the percentage of the US population killed in 9/11. Everyone knows someone who was killed, kidnapped or injured.
Proportionally, when the death toll was at 700, that was already EIGHT TIMES the percentage of population as 9/11. In US terms, the equivalent would be 25,000 deaths through terrorism in a single day. (Source: The News Agents podcast)
Six hours ago the death toll was reported as over 1000 in Israel.
Netanyahu is being blamed for the attack by Israelis. I think his self life has run out. But, before that happens Isreal will enter Gaza and it will be punitive.
Interesting. I hadn't heard that. My wife manages an organization with a group in Israel; we've only heard the "9/11" comment, and some chatter about the reservists being called up.
Where are you hearing that Israelis are blaming Netanyahu?
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Austin said Sunday afternoon that he had directed the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to go to the Eastern Mediterranean.
“We have also taken steps to augment U.S Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region,” he said.
“Strengthening our joint force posture, in addition to the materiel support that we will rapidly provide to Israel, underscores the United States’ ironclad support for the Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli people,” said Austin.
“My team and I will continue to be in close contact with our Israeli counterparts to ensure they have what they need to protect their citizens and defend themselves against these heinous terrorist attacks.”
U.S. Central Command said later Sunday afternoon that it had begun moving the strike group.
Nothing has been decided or ordered, but officials are working through options, including one that involves putting some Americans on the Navy ships to get them to safety.