Debunking the Myth: Joe Biden's Alleged Funding of the Israel-Hamas War

Misinformation and conspiracy theories spread like wildfire on social media. The beginning of the Israel-Hamas war earlier this month has proliferated misinformation at such a dizzying speed that people don’t actually know what is the truth and what has been misrepresented. U.S. citizens, in particular, seem to need to blame someone, and Joe Biden seems to be that person.  Just one of the misleading claims against the President suggests that Biden is funding the Israel-Hamas war. This assertion is based on a series of misconceptions and half-truths, which need to be addressed and debunked.

The claim that Biden is funding the Israel-Hamas conflict revolves around three main assertions:

1. “Biden unfroze $360 million in 2021 and began sending it to Palestine."

2. "America sends billions every year to Israel for military aid."

3. "Biden unfroze $6 billion cash for Iran on 9/11."

Let’s examine each of these claims individually.

"Biden unfroze $360 million in 2021 and began sending it to Palestine."

The reality is that the $360 million released by the Biden administration in 2021 was allocated for humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank. This decision was to provide much-needed support to the civilian population after an 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas. It should be noted that this funding was explicitly designated for humanitarian purposes and was not intended for military aid. In fact, Secretary of State Antony Blinken clarified that “all of these funds will be administered in a way that benefits the Palestinian people — not Hamas, which has only brought misery and despair to Gaza.”

"America sends billions every year to Israel for military aid."

While it is true that the U.S. provides substantial financial support to Israel for defense purposes, this practice is a long-standing tradition that predates the Biden administration. U.S. aid to Israel's military has been ongoing for decades, receiving bipartisan support from both Republican and Democratic administrations. The U.S. sent approximately $12.4 billion to Israel for defense in fiscal years 2021 through 2023. In fact, since 1946, the United States has provided over $124 billion in military aid and missile defense to Israel. This financial assistance is unrelated to the specific events surrounding the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

"Biden unfroze $6 billion cash for Iran on 9/11."

The claim that the Biden administration unfroze $6 billion in cash for Iran on September 11th fails to provide a complete picture of the situation. The $6 billion relates to a deal made with Iran, where Iranian oil revenue held in South Korean banks was unfrozen in exchange for the release of American prisoners held in Iran. Five Iranians held in U.S. prisons were also released as part of this agreement. That money has not yet been disbursed to Iran at the time of this article. Furthermore, the funds are subject to strict oversight by the U.S. Treasury Department and can only be used for humanitarian purposes. The administration has clarified that none of this money has been distributed to Iran, emphasizing its commitment to humanitarian use. Blinken has implied that should the money be misused, the U.S. will freeze the money again.

In summary, the claim that President Biden is funding "every angle" of the Israel-Hamas conflict is misleading and based on partial truths as a means to shift blame and create a clear villain in the United States’ narrative of the Israel-Hamas war. The $360 million in aid to Palestinians was strictly for humanitarian purposes, not for military aid to Hamas. The annual military funding provided to Israel is a long-standing practice supported by both political parties. The $6 billion unfrozen for Iran has yet to be disbursed and is intended for humanitarian use, with stringent oversight by the U.S. Treasury Department.