House Speaker Mike Johnson said that the Biden administration’s recent criticism of Israel and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war contributed to Saturday’s drone attack by Iran.
“As Israel faces this vicious attack from Iran, America must show our full resolve to stand with our critical ally. The world must be assured: Israel is not alone,” Mr. Johnson, Louisiana Republican, said in a statement.
He continued, “I will continue to engage with the White House to insist upon a proper response. The Biden Administration’s undermining of Israel and appeasement of Iran have contributed to these terrible developments.”
Mr. Johnson’s comments follow remarks President Biden made earlier this week where he called Mr. Netanyahu’s handling of the war a mistake, and urged the leader of the Jewish State to flood Gaza with aid.
It also follows a move by the Biden administration last year to unfreeze about $6 billion in Iranian oil assets in a prisoner swap deal, which critics warned could be used to fuel Tehran’s military efforts despite being conditioned by the White House to be used for humanitarian aid.
Iran’s drone swarm appeared to be a direct retaliation to an April 1 Israeli strike on a portion of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, which killed Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi and other Iranian officials.
The attack prompted Mr. Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Louisiana Republican, to tweak the House’s upcoming legislative schedule for next week.
“In light of Iran’s unjustified attack on Israel, the House will move from its previously announced legislative schedule next week to instead consider legislation that supports our ally Israel and holds Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable,” Mr. Scalise said.
Details of the impending legislation were unavailable, but Mr. Johnson is likely to try to again push for military aid to the Jewish state.
The House has already passed a version of Israel aid, which the Democrat-led Senate and White House shot down in favor of the broader $96 billion foreign aid package that passed in the upper chamber.
Lawmakers may try to use the opportunity to pass the Senate’s aid package or tie Ukraine’s aid to a likely offering to Israel, which will complicate Mr. Johnson’s efforts to help the Jewish State.