House Republicans pass bill mandating weapons shipment to Israel

US House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday (May 16) to mandate the country to send weapons to Israel. The move by Republicans was meant to spotlight Democratic divisions over the Israel-Hamas war.

Notably, the Biden administration recently paused a shipment of 3,500 bombs, including some weighing up to 2,000 pounds, to discourage Israel's offensive on Rafah. However, Republicans have criticised President Joe Biden for delaying bomb shipments and abandoning US ally Israel.

The Israel Security Assistance Support Act was passed with 224 to 187 votes. Sixteen Democrats supported the measure while three Republicans opposed it. However, the bill is unlikely to become law.

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Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned Biden's decision to pause shipments to Israel.

"This is a catastrophic decision with global implications. It is obviously being done as a political calculation, and we cannot let this stand," Johnson stated during a news conference on Wednesday (May 15).

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Democrats, however, accused Republicans of politicising the issue.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries reportedly told a news conference before the vote, "It is not a serious effort at legislation, which is why some of the most pro-Israel members of the House Democratic caucus will be voting no."

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Despite the delayed shipment of bombs, Israel remains a major recipient of US military aid, with billions of dollars in weaponry still expected.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell expressed his frustration, saying, "I don’t think we should tell the Israelis how to conduct their military campaign, period.”

$1 billion weapons aid package

US State Department on Tuesday (May 14) advanced a $1 billion weapons aid package for Israel into the congressional review process.

Biden has put a hold on the bomb transfer due to concerns about potential mass casualties in Rafah.

The ongoing conflict has already resulted in significant loss of life. Over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed as Israel retaliates for the October 7 attack by Hamas militant group.

The United Nations humanitarian aid agency has warned that an attack on Rafah could endanger hundreds of thousands of people seeking refuge there.

(With inputs from agencies)