Biden Puts Israel in an Impossible Position

The Biden administration is once again threatening to hold its support for Israel’s defensive operations against Iran’s terrorist proxies hostage unless certain conditions are met. This is quite a conundrum for Israel. It would surely like to comply with the administration’s demands, but, from Jerusalem’s perspective, it already has.

In an October 13 letter to the Israeli government undersigned by administration officials Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin, the United States accused the Jewish state of cutting off humanitarian aid to parts of the Gaza Strip. Israeli actions have “contributed to starvation and widespread suffering, particularly in the enclave’s north where Israel launched a renewed ground operation nearly two weeks ago,” the Wall Street Journal reported. Israel must “reverse the downward humanitarian trajectory” within 30 days of the letter, it read, or there will be “implications” for the future disbursement of U.S. ordnance and financial aid.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.

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The Biden administration is once again threatening to hold its support for Israel’s defensive operations against Iran’s terrorist proxies hostage unless certain conditions are met. This is quite a conundrum for Israel. It would surely like to comply with the administration’s demands, but, from Jerusalem’s perspective, it already has.

In an October 13 letter to the Israeli government undersigned by administration officials Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin, the United States accused the Jewish state of cutting off humanitarian aid to parts of the Gaza Strip. Israeli actions have “contributed to starvation and widespread suffering, particularly in the enclave’s north where Israel launched a renewed ground operation nearly two weeks ago,” the Wall Street Journal reported. Israel must “reverse the downward humanitarian trajectory” within 30 days of the letter, it read, or there will be “implications” for the future disbursement of U.S. ordnance and financial aid.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.