In talking points reviewed by The Intercept, the pro-Israel lobby argues that Israel has “no other option” but to invade Rafah.
In the face of increasing skepticism in Washington around Israel’s planned invasion of Rafah, where some 1.4 million displaced Palestinians take refuge, the America Israel Public Affairs Committee spent this week lobbying Congress to support the operation.
In talking points sent to congressional offices on Tuesday and reviewed by The Intercept, AIPAC argued that invading Rafah is the only way to take out Hamas, and that Israel had “no other option.”
“There is no example in recent military history of defeating a force like Hamas in Rafah without entering the city,” read the talking points. “Commando raids and arms embargoes can have a positive impact but will not defeat Hamas.”
For more than a week, officials in Washington have been speaking out against Israel’s plan to invade Rafah, and on Wednesday, President Joe Biden said that the U.S. would stop supplying Israel with heavy weapons should it move forward with its plans. He also admitted that Israel has killed civilians with U.S. bombs. Last week, 57 House Democrats wrote to Biden, saying “an offensive invasion into Rafah by Israel in the upcoming days is wholly unacceptable” and urging him to pause weapon shipments. The Biden administration made the unprecedented move to halt one shipment of offensive weapons to Israel, and on Wednesday, the State Department said that the administration is “reviewing” other arms shipments.
