Biden administration announces $1 billion arms transfer to Israel
Rep. Claudia Tenney demands appointment of special counsel to investigate President Biden over delay in military aid to Israel
Tensions between Israel and Egypt escalate over closure of Rafah Crossing
Transfer includes approximately $700 million for tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles, and $60 million in mortar rounds
In recent days, several news sources have reported on various developments related to Israel and its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Here's a summary of the latest updates:
The Biden administration has announced plans to send over $1 billion in weapons and ammunition to Israel, according to multiple congressional aides. This transfer comes after the White House paused another arms shipment earlier this month due to concerns about potential civilian casualties in Rafah, Gaza. The new package includes approximately $700 million for tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles, and $60 million in mortar rounds.
However, it remains unclear when the arms will be sent or if this is part of an existing arms sale or a new one. The White House has faced criticism from both sides of the political spectrum regarding its military support for Israel during its seven-month war against Hamas in Gaza. Some Democrats have called for limiting offensive weapons transfers to protect Palestinian civilians, while Republicans argue against any lessening of support for the U.S.'s closest ally in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, tensions between Israel and Egypt have escalated over the closure of Rafah Crossing, a vital entry point into Gaza for humanitarian aid. The crossing has been closed for nearly 10 days, exacerbating an already devastating aid situation with surging food prices and scarce fuel supplies. Both Israel and Egypt blame each other for the closure.
Additionally, Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) has demanded that Attorney General Merrick Garland appoint a special counsel to investigate President Biden over the delay in delivering essential military aid to Israel. Tenney argues that this delay violates the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 and the Constitution's principles of separation of powers.
It's not clear when the arms will be sent or if it’s part of an existing arms sale or a new sale.
Republicans are planning to advance a bill to mandate the delivery of offensive weaponry for Israel following Biden’s move to pause bomb shipments last week.
Rep. Claudia Tenney has demanded Attorney General Merrick Garland to appoint a special counsel to investigate President Biden over stalling military aid to Israel.
Tenney argues that the Biden administration's delay in delivering essential aid violates the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 and the Constitution's principles of separation of powers.
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The article contains selective reporting as the author only mentions the delay in military aid to Israel without mentioning that it was due to concerns for civilian casualties. The author also makes a statement about Biden's 'wrong headed and dangerous policy decision' without providing any evidence or context.
Tenney wrote with ‘grave concern regarding President Biden’s recent announcement to freeze the delivery of 1,800 200-lb bombs and 1,759 50-lb bombs that were appropriated for by Congress and set to be delivered to Israel. This wrong headed and dangerous policy decision comes on the heels of the decision to delay on the pending sale of JDAMs and SDBs to Israel.
The letter comes as reports Tuesday claimed the Biden administration has told key lawmakers it would send more than $1 billion in additional arms and ammunition to Israel. It was not immediately known how soon the weapons would be delivered, and the president put another arms transfer, consisting of 3,500 bombs of up to 2,000 pounds each, on hold earlier this month.
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Bias
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The author expresses a clear bias towards the Republican Party and against President Biden by demanding a special counsel to investigate Biden for 'arguably a violation of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974' and 'dangerous policy decision' regarding military aid to Israel. The author also implies that Biden is not following the law, undermining constitutional principles, and delaying essential aid.
However, instead of following the law, the Biden administration has delayed the delivery of this essential aid that has already been obligated.
President Biden’s administration is reportedly moving forward with a $1 billion weapons shipment to Israel after prior delays in assistance.
This potential violation of statute and dangerous failure to comply with Constitutional precedent by the Biden administration must be fully investigated by a special counsel.
The Rafah border crossing, a vital entry point into Gaza for humanitarian aid, has been closed for nearly 10 days
Humanitarian officials have warned that the closure of the entry point has exacerbated an already devastating aid situation, with prices for many food items surging and fuel becoming scarce
Israel has accused Egypt of holding up the delivery of aid through the Rafah crossing
Egypt has said Israel's continued presence in and around the crossing has been the primary obstacle
Even if trucks were allowed to pass through the Rafah crossing, it was not clear if they could safely navigate through eastern Rafah, where Israeli forces have been fighting Hamas militants
Accuracy
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Deception
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The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the authors' position of blame between Israel and Egypt over the closure of Rafah crossing. The authors do not provide any facts or context about the reasons for the closure or the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. They also use emotional manipulation by describing how hundreds of trucks are blocked from reaching Gaza, wounded and ill people unable to leave, and families trying to escape the war being unable to do so.
Humanitarian officials have warned that the closure of the entry point has exacerbated an already devastating aid situation, with prices for many food items surging and fuel becoming scarce.
Israel Katz, Israel’s foreign minister, said on Tuesday that he had spoken to European foreign ministers about the ‘need to persuade Egypt’ to allow the ‘continued delivery of international humanitarian aid to Gaza.’
Sameh Shoukry, Egypt’s foreign minister, quickly pushed back, arguing that the crossing was still closed because Israel’s control over it and its military operations in the surrounding area were putting truck drivers and aid workers in danger.
Top news Why is the Rafah border crossing closed? Egypt and Israel each say the other is responsible.
Fallacies
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The article contains several instances of the fallacy of 'Blaming the Victim' and 'Circular Reasoning'. The authors report that Israel and Egypt are trading blame over the closure of Rafah border crossing, with each side accusing the other for its closure. This is an example of Blaming the Victim fallacy as both sides are presented as equally responsible for the situation, without any clear evidence or justification provided to support this claim. Additionally, there is a circular reasoning in statements made by Israeli and Egyptian officials where they blame each other's actions for the continued closure of Rafah crossing. For instance, Israel accuses Egypt of holding up aid delivery through Rafah while Egypt argues that Israel's control over it and military operations are putting truck drivers and aid workers in danger. Neither side provides any concrete evidence to support their claims, making it a circular reasoning fallacy.
Israel has accused Egypt of holding up the delivery of aid through the Rafah crossing, while Egypt has said Israel’s continued presence in and around the crossing has been the primary obstacle.
Israel Katz, Israel’s foreign minister, argued that Egypt's leadership was responsible for preventing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Sameh Shoukry, Egypt’s foreign minister, rejected what he described as ‘the policy of twisting facts.’
Donald Trump made a statement outside the courtroom regarding Alan Dershowitz being a Democrat and questioning his judgment on Israel.
Michael Cohen testified about a secret recording he made of Trump discussing affair claims before the 2016 election.
Trump is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment Cohen made to Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.
Accuracy
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Deception
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None Found At Time Of
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The authors make an appeal to ethics fallacy by implying that Dershowitz's political affiliation as a Democrat makes him incorrect about the situation with Israel. They also use inflammatory rhetoric by suggesting that anyone who is Jewish and a Democrat should have their head examined.
“He’s making a big mistake. If you’re Jewish, and you’re a Democrat — and that includes Alan Dershowitz — you ought to have your head examined when you see what’s going on with Israel.”
Bias
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The author, Ben Kochman, Kyle Schnitzer, David Spector, and Elizabeth Karpen demonstrate religious bias by implying that being Jewish and a Democrat is a mistake and suggesting that those individuals should have their heads examined.
“if you&re Jewish, and you&re a Democrat — and that includes Alan Dershowitz — you ought to have your head examined when you see whatεs going on with Israel.”
