Prime Minister Netanyahu Undermining Israeli Values and Hurting the Country, Says President Biden
President Biden Criticizes Handling of Gaza War
During an interview with MSNBC on Saturday, US President Joe Biden accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of undermining the values on which Israel was founded and damaging the country with his conduct of the Gaza war. While acknowledging Netanyahu’s right to defend Israel and pursue Hamas, Biden highlighted the need for greater consideration for the innocent lives lost due to the actions taken. He argued that Netanyahu’s approach is not aligned with the principles Israel stands for and emphasized that it represents a significant mistake.
Growing Tensions over Israel’s Military Campaign
Israel’s approach to its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza has contributed to escalating tensions between Israel and the United States. While the US supports the campaign’s objective in principle, it has expressed concerns about certain aspects. Notably, the high fatality count has been a cause for alarm, with Hamas claiming over 31,000 Palestinian deaths since the war’s beginning. Israel, on the other hand, maintains that 11,000 of the fatalities have been combatants.
The US has also criticized Israel for insufficient efforts to manage the accompanying humanitarian disaster. Israel’s military operation has taken a toll on roads, infrastructure, and the governance system in Gaza, making the distribution of aid difficult and, in some cases, impossible.
Biden’s Private Comment on Humanitarian Aid
In a private comment inadvertently recorded on Thursday, Biden referred to the need for a “come to Jesus meeting” with Netanyahu to address the issue of humanitarian aid for Gaza. When questioned by MSNBC about the severity of the comment, Biden clarified that it was a euphemism for a “serious meeting” and that Netanyahu was aware of its intended meaning.
Biden was keen to emphasize that his stance on Netanyahu did not suggest a lack of support for Israel. He reaffirmed his commitment to Israel’s defense, particularly with regard to defensive weapons. He made it clear that he would not abandon Israel, stating, “The defense of Israel is still critical, so there is no red line where I am going to cut off all weapons so they do not have the Iron Dome to protect them.”
At the same time, Biden voiced his belief that alternative approaches should be explored to prevent a higher number of Palestinian casualties. Drawing from his previous experiences, he cited his warning to Israel’s war cabinet during his visit to the country in October, cautioning against repeating the mistakes made by the US in Iraq and Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks.
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