Ft Wayne Times

Following the recent death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Representative Jim Banks has urged the Biden administration to provide Israel with necessary weapons. In a letter addressed to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Rep. Banks criticized the administration for withholding arms and threatened an arms embargo on Israel.

Banks stated, “Your administration’s attempts to tie Israel’s hands have instead prolonged the war and only achieved record numbers of fruitless diplomatic meetings.” He called for an end to what he described as "holding up arms shipments," including 2,000-pound bombs and other critical arms.

The letter further argues that the U.S. should support Israel in its efforts against terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah. Banks contends that removing leaders such as Sinwar could bring peace closer by eliminating obstacles to hostage negotiations.

Rep. Banks also questioned the current U.S. strategy towards the conflict, urging a shift in perspective: "The only path forward is to recognize the bankruptcy of your administration’s whole perspective on this conflict." He emphasized that providing weapons would aid Israel in securing peace on terms favorable to both Israel and American interests.