On Friday’s broadcast of “CNN News Central” , , House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith ( D- WA ) stated that President Joe Biden’s threat to withhold certain weapons from Israel if it goes into Rafah’s population centers “does n’t help” and” took pressure off of Hamas, when it should n’t have”.
Do you believe with Israel’s plan of threatening to withdraw certain arms if it enters Rafah, according to co-host John Berman?
Smith responded,” I do n’t think he should have done it publicly. I think the private meetings were quite correct. I think the another possibility is end- usage limitations. We’ve done that, for instance, in Ukraine, here ]are ] your weapons, ca n’t fire into Russia”.
Berman then cut in to ask,” Why do n’t you think he should have done it publicly”?
Smith answered,” Because, appear, the biggest stop to a peace right now is Hamas. And that’s being generally unreported. The President has been working on a ceasefire for several months to allow for the transfer of hostages and a momentary peace. Hamas has blocked that and said, never, Israel has to absolutely retreat, lasting ceasefire, and oh, by the way, we’re just going to return some of the victims over an extended period of time. That option’s been on the board. We must continue to exert force on Hamas to accept that peace.
Berman then asked,” So, what then, does making the public threat to withhold weapons do”?
Smith responded,” Well, I think it’s being manner exaggerated, fine, and obviously, there’s elections involved around. Joe Biden is constantly being attacked by the Republicans. The facts do n’t support the notion that this is some sort of huge signal that we’re withdrawing from our support for Israel.
You then addressed Berman,” But you said you wish he had n’t done it publicly, and I’m trying to understand why.”
Smith answered,” It does n’t help. What I just said was, the idea that somehow this is some big crack with Israel, well, why is because I think it took stress off of Hamas, when it should n’t have”.
Berman therefore asked,” You think it disincentivizes Hamas from making a deal, some kind of a wait”?
Smith answered,” It’s a small part of the larger issue. … I think this has been blown out of proportion. The U. S. however supports Israel. In Gaza, we also want to improve the charitable situation there. That’s the very challenging terrain the President is trying to navigate”.
Following Ian , Hanchett on Twitter , @IanHanchett
