US Anticipates Netanyahu’s Reply Following Biden’s Ultimatum
TL/DR –
President Joe Biden has asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take “specific, concrete and measurable” actions in Gaza to ease civilian suffering, increase protection for aid workers, and move towards a ceasefire. The U.S. administration has signaled a significant policy shift by suggesting it may condition future U.S. support for Israel. Despite an initial move by Israel to reopen a key crossing for humanitarian aid, sustained Israeli cooperation is needed, otherwise, tensions between the U.S. and Israel may intensify.
US President Biden Aiming to Influence Israel’s Tactics in Gaza
CNN reports that President Joe Biden has staked his reputation on influencing Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The US president now waits to witness whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will react to the most notable shift in strategy by Biden’s administration since the war’s start.
If Netanyahu doesn’t implement the “concrete and measurable” steps Biden requested to reduce civilian suffering and safeguard aid workers, Biden must decide whether to allow Netanyahu to continue his defiance—an approach causing significant political risks.
The US may consider conditioning its support for Israel, especially given the ongoing war initiated by Hamas terror attacks, which claimed 1,200 lives.
An early indication that Biden’s message might resonate was the Israeli security cabinet’s approval to reopen the Erez crossing in Gaza, potentially facilitating humanitarian aid.
However, a sustained Israeli shift is crucial to alleviate criticism of Netanyahu and mitigate Biden’s domestic political risks.
Concerns escalated following the deaths of aid workers in an Israeli strike. For the first time, the US hinted at conditionality in its support for Israel, warning its Gaza policy could change without swift action from Netanyahu.
“If we do not see changes we need to see, there will be changes in our policy,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated. Prominent Democrats have started discussing imposing restrictions on the use of US-made weapons by the Israeli Defense Forces.
Despite expressing frustration with Israeli tactics, the White House has been unable to influence the prime minister. If the new US push doesn’t deliver results, tensions between the allies might worsen.
Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders argued that American taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be complicit in Israel’s killing of innocent people, stating that Israel shouldn’t receive any more military aid unless its policies change significantly.
Netanyahu, known for defying US pressure, warned that Israel will defend itself against Iran. This comes amidst retaliation threats after the killing of two senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officers in a strike attributed to Israel.
Despite the apparent differences following the phone call with Biden, the US administration reiterated its unwavering support for Israel’s security, with Blinken stating that Biden reaffirmed the United States’ strong commitment to Israel’s safety.
The tensions between Netanyahu and Biden aren’t due to personal disagreements but are likely due to the divergence of their political interests and national security concerns.
Israel’s increasing international isolation and critical US support mean Netanyahu could risk defiance of a US president’s public requests. An upcoming Israeli offensive in Rafah, which the US warned must protect civilians, could be a potential dispute point between the two leaders.
If Biden perceives his warnings have been ignored, his credibility will hinge on publicly imposing consequences on Netanyahu. Biden’s political necessities and the escalating humanitarian toll in Gaza mean he’s reaching a critical juncture, and Netanyahu’s decisions will influence the path taken.
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