U.S. Rep. Debbie Wassermann Schultz wants Biden to ‘clarify’ stance on Israel

President Joe Biden’s remarks earlier this week that he would halt some shipments of U.S. weapons if Israel launches a full-scale ground operation into the city of Rafah in south Gaza has ignited a firestorm of criticism among members of the Florida congressional delegation, prompting U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz – a close ally of the president – to issue a statement of her own on Friday afternoon.

“President Biden has been ironclad in his commitment to Israel over the last seven months,” the South Florida Democrat said. “His administration must stay the course and avoid any impression that our support is wavering.”

“The president should clarify his stance publicly and the U.S. and Israel should resolve this miscommunication privately,” she added.

Biden told CNN on Wednesday night that while his administration has been supportive up until now of Israel’s military engagement in Gaza to attempt to eradicate Hamas, he was putting conditions on providing military support if Israel Defense Forces were to invade Rafah.