Biden threatens Israel with cutting aid depending on civilian protection, in historic policy shift
US President Joe Biden warns Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sternly amid the Gaza crisis, possibly indicating a change in U.S. policy towards Israel
Amid the current crisis in Gaza, President Joe Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sternly on Thursday, possibly indicating a change in U.S. policy towards Israel. The declaration is made as pressure from both local and foreign sources intensifies and anger with Netanyahu’s handling of the matter grows.
With the U.S. continuing to provide military aid to Israel despite criticism about civilian losses in Gaza, Biden has maintained firm support for Israel since the bloodshed that broke out after Hamas’s strikes on October 7. But as dissatisfaction with Muslim and younger voters grows in the United States and pressure from supporters in politics increases, Biden’s position seems to be changing.
Following Israeli bombings in Gaza that claimed the lives of seven charity workers, Biden discussed the prospect of tying U.S. funding to changes in Israeli conduct during a half-hour conversation with Netanyahu. This was a major change from earlier interactions, as the White House made it clear that U.S. policy in Gaza would depend on Israel’s response to humanitarian issues and injury to civilians.
The call highlighted the growing hostilities between Netanyahu’s government and the Biden administration. It was regarded as heated. Though the White House did not officially declare that military aid would be stopped, it was made plain that concrete actions were anticipated from Israel in the “coming hours and days.”
The Biden administration must strike a careful balance between its long-standing support for Israel and growing domestic resistance when implementing its Gaza strategy. The complexity of the matter is increased, especially in an election year, by worries about possible reactions among Arab American and Muslim voters, especially in important swing states like Michigan.
President Biden has allegedly received advice from influential members of his inner circle, such as Democratic Senator Chris Coons and First Lady Jill Biden, to use U.S. military funding to Israel as leverage over Israeli activities in Gaza. The President is under increasing internal pressure to address civilian losses in Gaza, as seen by Jill Biden’s direct request to “stop it now” during a meeting with Muslim community members.
Even while Biden and Israel have always had tight connections, his attitude has changed recently, especially in light of the growing number of civilian losses in Gaza. Concrete measures to restrict military aid have not yet been implemented, despite the fact that the US has sent humanitarian supplies and abstained from vetoing UN resolutions urging a ceasefire.
The Biden administration has come under fire for approving further bomb exports to Israel at the same time as the bombings that claimed the lives of the charity workers. This shows how difficult it continues to be to strike a balance between American interests and global humanitarian concerns.
As tensions rise, American public opinion is also changing; a Gallup survey shows that people are becoming more and more critical of Israel’s conduct in Gaza. Pressure to reevaluate the Biden administration’s strategy is growing, with demands for meaningful repercussions to go along with diplomatic declarations.
With Biden’s warning deviating from customary unwavering support for Israel, the events lead to a possible turning point in U.S.-Israel ties. The Biden administration is under increasing pressure to address humanitarian issues in Gaza while maintaining US interests in the area as the violence there rages.
Source: Newsroom
