US President Joe Biden delivered a stern warning to Israel, cautioning that its “indiscriminate bombing” of Gaza is putting international support for its security at risk. In a conversation with Jewish donors, Biden emphasized that Israel’s security is built on a foundation of US support, but reckless bombing is jeopardizing that support. He shared a personal anecdote about inscribing a provocative message on a photo with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decades ago, reiterating his disagreement with the Israeli leader’s policies.
Biden drew parallels between the US’s actions in World War II and the current situation in Gaza, noting that the US had dropped atomic bombs on Japan and carpet-bombed Germany, leading to the establishment of international institutions to prevent similar mistakes. The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of a non-binding resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, while the US had previously vetoed a similar measure at the UN Security Council.
US President Joe Biden (Via Joe Biden/Twitter)
Biden’s administration reiterated its support for the return of the Palestinian Authority and the resumption of peace talks aimed at establishing a Palestinian state alongside Israel. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is set to head to Israel this week to consult directly with Netanyahu on the issue, carrying the president’s thoughts on ending major combat in Gaza. The US is seen as caught in a delicate balancing act, supporting its ally Israel while also maintaining a commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region.
Biden cautioned Israel against repeating the mistakes of overreaction made in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and singled out Itamar Ben-Gvir, the leader of a far-right Israeli party, who opposes a two-state solution and has called for Israel to reassert control over all of the West Bank and Gaza. The president’s warning comes as international pressure mounts on Israel to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where thousands of people have been displaced and many more are in need of aid.
