Washington Shifts Tone on Israel, But policy Alignment Remains Unclear
Recent statements from U.S. officials signal a hardening of language towards Israel, even as teh Biden administration navigates a delicate ceasefire deal brokered under the Trump administration. The shift comes amid growing international concern over humanitarian conditions in Gaza adn questions surrounding Israel’s adherence to the terms of the agreement.
The ceasefire, largely attributed to a 20-point plan spearheaded by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, followed a period of strained relations between Israel and Qatar. Hamas leaders residing in Qatar reportedly felt betrayed by an Israeli attack, an event that Kushner and witkoff leveraged to secure Arab support for the deal, utilizing their existing business contacts in the region. Kushner defended this approach during a 60 Minutes interview, stating, “What people call a conflict of interest, Steve and I call experience and trusted relationships. Without that, this deal wouldn’t have happened.”
The Kushner-Witkoff approach prioritized a transactional view of peace, drafting an apology from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to the Emir of Qatar. This pragmatic style, characterized by directness, appears to be influencing current U.S. diplomacy.
Though,despite a more critical tone,concrete policy changes remain elusive. During a press conference, American Secretary Rubio emphasized Israel’s concerns about Hamas’s compliance with the ceasefire, while seemingly downplaying the insufficient aid reaching Gaza. Simultaneously, both trump and Vance expressed understanding regarding Hamas’s difficulties in recovering all hostages from rubble.
This approach contrasts with traditional diplomatic norms, where compromises are framed as wins for all parties. Kushner acknowledged this shift in a 60 Minutes interview,stating,”And then suddenly we had to write things down to do justice to those stupid word games that everyone in the region is so used to playing.”
While the new language is being noted by observers on both sides, its impact on U.S. policy and the long-term prospects for a two-state solution remains to be seen. The 20-point plan, while supported by numerous countries including the Netherlands, remains largely undefined, with officials suggesting problems will be addressed incrementally. Concerns persist, notably among Palestinians, regarding the role of international law and justice in the ongoing process.
