This week, President Biden declared that he would not supply weapons to Israel if it invades Rafah, sparking outrage from the Republican Party, which will likely be the main topic of this week’s Sunday talk shows.
During an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett on Wednesday, Biden said Biden stated that if the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) proceed with their planned invasion of Rafah, a southern Gaza city with hundreds of thousands of people seeking refuge, he would cease providing offensive weapons like bombs and artillery shells.
The war, along with Biden’s warning, has divided Congress. Republicans accused Biden of abandoning Israel with his latest actions, which are his most significant since the beginning of the war.
The Biden administration submitted a report to Congress late Friday, which concluded that it was “reasonable to assess” that Israel had violated international humanitarian law in its Gaza war.
Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen (Md.) expressed dissatisfaction with the review stating that it was “woefully inadequate.” He mentioned that if Israel’s conduct aligns with international standards, it would “set a very low bar for the rules of war.”
Van Hollen is scheduled to appear on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, where he will likely address the administration’s increasing concern for Israel’s actions.
On the opposite side, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) criticized Biden’s threat, stating that it could disrupt potential stability in the Middle East. He expressed more trust in Israel than Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Graham will feature on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” where he will likely discuss his long-standing efforts for Saudi Arabia and Israel to negotiate, as well as Biden’s warning.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) criticized Biden, referring to him as part of the “pro-Hamas group” and describing the warning as “disgusting. Scott is set to appear on “Fox News Sunday,”
In the House, Biden’s message has garnered even more criticism. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), along with House Armed Services Chair Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), issued a statement expressing that they were “appalled” by the administration's decision to halt “crucial arms shipments to Israel.”
McCaul is set to appear on ABC’s “This Week” where he is likely to elaborate on his statement.
Here’s the full list regarding appearances on this week’s Sunday shows:
ABC’s “This Week” — Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.); Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas).
NBC’s “Meet the Press” —Secretary of State Antony Blinken; Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
CBS’ “Face the Nation” — Blinken; Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).
CNN’s “State of the Union” — Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and JD Vance (R-Ohio); Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Deanne Criswell.
“Fox News Sunday” — Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.); Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.); Rachel Goldberg, the mother of an Israeli American hostage taken by Hamas.
Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures” — Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah); Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.); former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.); Arizona GOP Senate candidate Kari Lake.
NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday with Chris Stirewalt” — Reps. Steve Horsford (D-Nev.) and Michael Waltz (R-Fla.).
NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.
