May 10, 2024
Jewish Federations Respond to US Weapons Pause
Yesterday, the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) released a statement regarding the Biden Administration’s threat to withhold certain Congressionally approved military aid to Israel. The Greater Miami Jewish Federation believes that this JFNA statement represents the overwhelming consensus of our Jewish community, as well. In light of the events of October 7 and the world’s reaction, and as we approach the emotional days of Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut this year, the importance of a secure Israel to our welfare in the diaspora has never been more clear or imperative. Please read and share the JFNA statement below.
Israel is fighting an existential war against a terror army that has entrenched itself in a civilian population. Hamas and its backers are as much enemies of America as they are of Israel. Israel has always and will always take enormous care in its military actions to protect the civilian population, but the only way to stop the killing of innocent people in Gaza is to defeat Hamas.
The Jewish community has great appreciation for President Biden’s support for the State of Israel since October 7th. Just last month, he signed into law one of strongest security aid packages in recent memory, which passed both chambers of Congress with extraordinary bipartisan support, to shore up support for Israel in her just fight to eliminate Hamas.
But in threatening to withhold military aid from Israel, President Biden is wrong.
Daylight between the U.S. and Israel on military matters emboldens Hamas and other Iran-backed forces in the region, encourages their delay tactics, and endangers the hostages by weakening Israel’s negotiating hand at a critical juncture.
His comments regarding civilians and humanitarian aid only serve to reinforce the false narratives anti-Israel and antisemitic extremists are violently spreading in campus protests. These outcomes go against the laudable aspirations President Biden enunciated this week, that "There is no place on any campus in America, any place in America, for antisemitism or hate speech or threats to violence of any kind, whether against Jews or anyone else."
Even the strongest of allies sometimes disagree, but their mutual support should never waver.
