President Joe Biden’s stance on Israel has undergone a notable shift following mounting pressure to adopt a firmer position against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, particularly in light of escalating casualties.
In a recent telephone conversation between the two leaders, President Biden conveyed to Prime Minister Netanyahu that US support for Israel’s actions in Gaza is contingent upon implementing new measures to safeguard civilians. This marks a significant departure from Biden’s previous stance, prompted by growing calls for a tougher approach towards Israel amid the rising death toll. The White House’s account of the conversation highlighted Biden’s unequivocal condemnation of an Israeli airstrike that claimed the lives of seven individuals providing aid to displaced Palestinians in Gaza, deeming the incident “unacceptable”.
Following the call, the Israeli security cabinet greenlit measures aimed at enhancing assistance and averting a humanitarian crisis, as announced by the Prime Minister’s office. Additionally, Israel will permit the temporary delivery of aid to Gaza through designated checkpoints, including Ashdod, Erez, and Kerem Shalom.
In response to these developments, Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, expressed approval of the steps taken by the Israeli government at President Biden’s behest, following their discussion with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Despite heightened tensions between the two leaders, the specifics of the Biden-Netanyahu call have not been disclosed. President Biden emphasized the urgency for Israel to unveil and implement tangible measures to mitigate civilian casualties, alleviate humanitarian suffering, and ensure the safety of aid workers. He underscored the imperative of an immediate ceasefire to ameliorate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and urged Netanyahu to pursue a resolution through ongoing indirect negotiations with Hamas.
President Biden’s statement suggests a potential recalibration of US policy towards the Israel-Hamas conflict, though the timeline and nature of such adjustments remain unspecified. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated during a press conference at NATO headquarters that any shifts in US policy would hinge on Israel’s responsiveness to the imperative of civilian protection.
The recent airstrike on a convoy of aid workers, including those from World Central Kitchen, a disaster relief organization founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, served as a stark wake-up call for the White House.
John Kirby, White House spokesperson, characterized Thursday’s call as “direct” and “businesslike”, revealing it was scheduled in response to the bombing. Kirby noted that Biden was deeply affected by the attack, which claimed the lives of aid workers, prompting the urgency for dialogue with Netanyahu. This marked their first call since mid-March.
Israel has maintained that the airstrike inadvertently targeted the aid workers and is currently conducting an investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident. Kirby mentioned that the investigation is nearing completion.
President Biden faces mounting political pressure from progressives, as well as Arab- and Muslim-Americans, who oppose his support for Israel’s military campaign. The attack on aid workers has reignited calls among Democrats to impose conditions on US military assistance to Israel.
Israel’s conduct of the war against Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by both the US and the European Union, has also drawn criticism from former President Donald Trump, who was an ardent supporter of Netanyahu during his tenure. In a recent interview, Trump criticized Israel’s handling of the conflict, emphasizing the need for a swift resolution to regain favorable public perception.
In conclusion, President Biden’s recalibrated stance on Israel underscores a growing imperative for greater accountability and protection of civilians amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.