Overview of Why we're still arming Israel
This episode of Today, Explained examines the U.S. role in Israel’s war in Gaza, focusing on how the Biden administration responded to Israel’s military campaign and why American weapons support continues under President Trump. The conversation centers on Akbar Shahid Ahmed’s book Crossing the Red Line, which argues that the Biden White House repeatedly failed to enforce its own limits on Israel—especially around Rafah—while still deepening U.S. involvement in the war.
Key takeaways
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Biden set a public “red line” on Rafah, then failed to enforce it.
In March 2024, Biden said Israel needed a different approach in Rafah, where more than a million displaced Palestinians were sheltering, and implied he would withhold weapons if Israel launched a major assault there. When Israel later crossed that line, the administration did not follow through with meaningful consequences. -
The administration treated the war as an extension of U.S. security politics.
Biden and top aides framed Hamas’s October 7 attack through the lens of 9/11 and “war on terror” logic, which the guest argues erased the distinct political realities of Israel-Palestine and encouraged an all-or-nothing military response. -
Early Israeli rhetoric alarmed some U.S. officials.
Statements about “human animals,” cutting off food, water, electricity, and imposing a “complete siege” on Gaza raised concerns inside the administration that Israel’s campaign was becoming something more than retaliation. -
The White House had leverage, but rarely used it.
Officials reportedly discussed using standard safeguards—like restrictions, assurances, or pressure tied to U.S. weapons—but generally avoided them. The administration was said to prefer ambiguity over openly identifying Israeli actions as war crimes. -
There was one notable moment when pressure worked.
After the April 1, 2024 Israeli strike that killed World Central Kitchen aid workers, Biden reportedly issued specific demands to Netanyahu, and Israel initially responded. But that pressure was not sustained. -
Trump is now moving to resume heavy bomb sales to Israel.
The current administration wants to approve a package that includes 2,000-pound bombs—munitions Biden had restricted during the Gaza war because of concerns they could be misused in densely populated areas. -
The U.S.-Israel weapons relationship is longstanding, but politically significant.
Arms sales have often served as a signal of U.S. commitment to Israel. The episode notes that this is both strategic and symbolic—and that both parties have historically used weapons transfers to demonstrate support.
Why the Rafah “red line” mattered
Rafah became the central test of Biden’s policy because it was:
- the last major refuge for displaced Palestinians in Gaza,
- a critical entry point for humanitarian aid,
- and a place where a large-scale assault risked catastrophic civilian harm.
Ahmed argues that once Israel went into Rafah and the U.S. did not enforce its warning, it damaged American credibility and further eroded hope that Washington would meaningfully restrain Israel.
How the U.S. actually pays for the weapons
The episode breaks down two main systems:
Foreign Military Sales
- A foreign government buys U.S.-approved weapons, usually from American defense contractors.
- This is the basic “country buys arms” model.
Foreign Military Financing (FMF)
- The U.S. gives a foreign government money specifically to buy American weapons.
- In practice, this means U.S. taxpayer dollars can help pay for weapons that are then sent to Israel.
Can Congress stop Trump’s sale?
Congress can slow the process, apply pressure, and create political friction. But if the White House insists the sale is necessary for national security, it can likely move forward anyway. Democrats in Congress are criticizing the sale and questioning whether the weapons will be used in line with U.S. law and civilian protections, but the administration has broad authority.
Bottom line
The episode argues that the biggest continuity from Biden to Trump is not a dramatic policy shift, but the persistence of U.S. military support for Israel despite massive civilian costs in Gaza. Biden talked about restraint and set limits he didn’t enforce; Trump is now moving to send the heavy bombs Biden held back.