US President Joe Biden has warned Israel it could lose international support due to the Gaza war and suggested Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu change government.
During a private campaign fundraiser in Washington D.C. on December 12, Biden directly criticized the Israeli government’s post-war vision, pinpointing Israel’s “indiscriminate bombing” of Gaza as the primary cause for the decline in global support. He urged Netanyahu to actively seek a long-term solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“Israel’s security can rest on the United States, but right now it has more than the United States. It has the European Union, it has Europe, it has most of the world supporting them,” Biden said to donors during the fundraiser.
He urged Netanyahu to seek a long-term solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stating that the current government is making it challenging for progress.
“Bibi’s got a tough decision to make,” Biden remarked, referring to Netanyahu as a good friend but emphasizing the need for change within the Israeli government.
“I think he has to change, and with this government, this government in Israel is making it very difficult for him to move,” Biden said, calling Netanyahu’s government the “most conservative government in Israel’s history.”
He emphasized the need for a two-state solution, a stance at odds with Netanyahu’s position. Biden underscored the importance of moving toward unity in the region but urged Netanyahu to make necessary changes.
Netanyahu, in a video statement, asserted that Israel has the full backing of the U.S. and resisted international pressure to end the war. However, he acknowledged a failure to reach an agreement with Biden on the future of Gaza post-Hamas defeat.
“There is a disagreement when it comes to ‘the day after Hamas,’” Netanyahu said. “I hope we will come to an agreement there, too.”
The disagreement centers on the Palestinian Authority’s role in Gaza, with Netanyahu opposing any involvement.
Despite standing in solidarity with Israel initially, the Biden administration is shifting its tone. Vice President Kamala Harris, in a Dec. 2 speech, stressed “international humanitarian law must be respected” and that “too many innocent Palestinians have been killed.”
Biden himself cautioned Israel to “be careful” during a Hanukkah celebration at the White House on December 11, recognizing the potential shift in global public opinion.
The whole world’s public opinion can shift,” Biden said. “We can’t let that happen.”
Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, is scheduled to travel to Israel to discuss the conflict with Netanyahu’s cabinet. Biden shared a private conversation with Netanyahu, emphasizing the importance of avoiding past mistakes and alluding to the need for responsible military actions.
As tensions persist, Biden’s call for change in Israel’s post-war vision signals a nuanced approach from the U.S., balancing support for an ally with a push for diplomatic resolutions in the Middle East.