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NEW DELHI: President Joe Biden has issued a warning to Israel, indicating a potential shift in US policy towards the ongoing conflict in Gaza if concrete actions are not taken to safeguard civilians and aid workers. This move marks the first time the US is considering leveraging its support to influence Israeli military behavior.
The tension between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu comes amid growing frustration and domestic pressure in the US, especially in an election year.Following this call, Netanyahu’s office announced a temporary allowance for increased aid flow into Gaza.
While Biden has traditionally backed Israel and Netanyahu, criticism over civilian casualties in Gaza has prompted calls for a change in approach. The recent killing of seven aid workers from the US-based charity World Central Kitchen further escalated concerns, leading Biden to emphasize that US policy towards Gaza will be contingent on Israel’s actions to prevent civilian deaths and improve the humanitarian situation.
The White House described the attack on aid workers as “unacceptable” and urged Israel to work towards an immediate ceasefire. This development underscored the mounting tensions between Biden and Netanyahu, with the World Central Kitchen incident serving as a catalyst for the phone call.
Netanyahu’s subsequent announcement to reopen the Erez border crossing and allow aid supplies through the port of Ashdod, as well as increased Jordanian aid via Kerem Shalom, was seen as a response to Biden’s concerns.
Balancing act
The Biden administration faces a delicate balancing act between its unwavering support for Israel and the mounting opposition within the US over the Gaza conflict. With concerns about alienating Arab American and Muslim voters, Biden is under pressure to reconsider the significant military aid provided to Israel annually.
Despite his past support for Israel, Biden’s stance has toughened as civilian casualties rise and the humanitarian crisis worsens. He has authorized aid airdrops into Gaza and allowed a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire. However, concrete actions to limit military aid to Israel have not yet materialized.
(With agency inputs)
The tension between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu comes amid growing frustration and domestic pressure in the US, especially in an election year.Following this call, Netanyahu’s office announced a temporary allowance for increased aid flow into Gaza.
While Biden has traditionally backed Israel and Netanyahu, criticism over civilian casualties in Gaza has prompted calls for a change in approach. The recent killing of seven aid workers from the US-based charity World Central Kitchen further escalated concerns, leading Biden to emphasize that US policy towards Gaza will be contingent on Israel’s actions to prevent civilian deaths and improve the humanitarian situation.
The White House described the attack on aid workers as “unacceptable” and urged Israel to work towards an immediate ceasefire. This development underscored the mounting tensions between Biden and Netanyahu, with the World Central Kitchen incident serving as a catalyst for the phone call.
Netanyahu’s subsequent announcement to reopen the Erez border crossing and allow aid supplies through the port of Ashdod, as well as increased Jordanian aid via Kerem Shalom, was seen as a response to Biden’s concerns.
Balancing act
The Biden administration faces a delicate balancing act between its unwavering support for Israel and the mounting opposition within the US over the Gaza conflict. With concerns about alienating Arab American and Muslim voters, Biden is under pressure to reconsider the significant military aid provided to Israel annually.
Despite his past support for Israel, Biden’s stance has toughened as civilian casualties rise and the humanitarian crisis worsens. He has authorized aid airdrops into Gaza and allowed a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire. However, concrete actions to limit military aid to Israel have not yet materialized.
(With agency inputs)
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