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The United States is financially strong enough to support wars in both Ukraine and Israel, claimed U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who highlighted the need to find a House speaker to quickly approve necessary aid for Israel.
“I think the answer is absolutely,” she replied. “America can certainly afford to stand with Israel and to support Israel’s military needs, and we also can and must support Ukraine in its struggle against Russia.”
As to whether America’s aid for Israel comes with any conditions, Ms. Yellen insisted that “America stands behind Israel. Period.”
“America’s also made clear to Israel—we’re working very closely with the Israelis—that they have a right to defend themselves, but it’s important to try to spare innocent civilian lives to the maximum extent possible,” she said.
“We’re the United States of America for God’s sake, the most powerful nation in the history—not in the world, in the history of the world,” he said. “We can take care of both of these and still maintain our overall international defense.”
Speaker’s Race in Spotlight
In her interview, Ms. Yellen also pointed out that the House first needs to fill the position of the speaker before funds can be appropriated for Israel’s aid.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted from the post earlier in October. As the seat remains vacant, the House is unable to pass legislation and thereby not in a position to approve funding.
“We do need to come up with funds both for Israel and for Ukraine. This is a priority. It’s really up to the House to find, seat a speaker and to put us in a position where legislation can be passed,” she said.
“We have also taken steps to augment U.S. Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region,” Mr. Austin said.
While the United States will support Israel, it has no plans of being directly involved in the war in a military capacity, he clarified. “At this point, that is not something that is under planning,” Mr. Sullivan said.
“We did not move the carrier for Hamas. We moved the carrier to send a clear message of deterrence to other states or non-state actors who might seek to widen this war.” He said that Washington was coordinating with Israel on matters related to planning and intelligence.
US Military Support
According to nonprofit data firm USA Facts, the United States provided $3.3 billion in foreign assistance to Israel in 2022, out of which 99.7 percent went to the military.
Out of all the aid America gave last year, Israel netted 4.8 percent. Israel was the top receiver of American aid between 1946 and 2022, securing $317.9 billion during this period.
The upcoming Israeli military operations in Gaza will be “enhanced operations against Hamas” that will continue “until we will dismantle Hamas and its military capabilities,” he said.
In his Oct. 15 interview, President Biden extended support for eliminating Hamas. “Israel is going after a group of people who engaged in barbarism that is as consequential as the Holocaust, and so I think Israel has to respond, they have to go after Hamas,” he said.
“Hamas is a bunch of cowards. They’re hiding behind the civilians. They put their headquarters where civilians are and buildings and the like. But to the extent that they can separate out and avoid, I’m confident the Israelis are going to do everything in their power to avoid the killing of innocent civilians.”
