In the USA there is generally a lot of support for US President Biden to support Israel in the fight against Hamas. But there are also warning voices – and criticism of Biden’s previous Iran policy.
The fact that Israel is being supported and that President Joe Biden is deploying an aircraft carrier, additional warships and fighter jets to the region is met with cross-party support in the USA. Adam Smith, the leading Democrat on the House Defense Committee, emphasizes that under no circumstances will they participate directly in the counteroffensive.
“The U.S. military will not commit its own troops or military equipment to fight alongside Israel against Hamas,” Smith told CNN. “What we are doing is delivering ammunition and other equipment. The main reason for the increased US presence with ships and aircraft is deterrence against Iran.” The concern is “that Iran could attack US troops through groups it finances or otherwise destabilize the region.”
So far there is no evidence of direct involvement of Iran
The US government emphasizes that there is so far no evidence of Iran’s direct involvement in Hamas’ major attack. But, Smith, a Democrat, emphasizes: “There is no doubt that Iran is benefiting from this war, no doubt that Iran is the main sponsor of Hamas and Hezbollah.” Iran fears Israel’s rapprochement with Saudi Arabia.
Criticism of Biden’s previous Iran policy
There is criticism, above all, of President Biden’s previous Iran policy. This was far too lenient, says Republican presidential candidate Mike Pence, who was vice president under Donald Trump: “President Biden’s kowtow to Iran over the last two and a half years, the lifting of sanctions, the begging for a return to the nuclear deal, Paying $6 billion to free hostages created the conditions for this unprecedented terrorist attack.”
Pence is also calling, at least rhetorically, for more tough support for Israel in order to “crush” Hamas, as he said on CNN.
Voices warning against a too harsh military response
But there are also voices that warn against Israel’s military response being too harsh. Daniel Levy heads the US Middle East Project, which advocates for Israel’s reconciliation with the Palestinians. He fears “that the Biden administration will continue to encourage Israel to do the worst thing possible: seek a military solution to the conflict. To say that’s okay, we’re with you is the worst service America can do.”
Levy also condemned the Hamas attacks as a crime on radio station NPR. But at the same time he says: If the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip has no long-term hope for a better life and political progress, they will ultimately only see one way out – armed struggle. “We have to involve Hamas. We should have been talking to Hamas for decades,” said Levy. But voices like these will probably remain in the minority in the coming weeks.