President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are facing a strained relationship as their views on the Gaza war diverge and their political futures hang in the balance. Biden has put a hold on the delivery of heavy bombs to Israel and warned that other weaponry could be suspended if Netanyahu proceeds with a widescale operation in the Gaza city of Rafah. Netanyahu, however, remains defiant, stating that Israel will stand alone if necessary. The friction between the two leaders has escalated over the past seven months, indicating that Biden’s approach of managing Netanyahu with carrots may no longer be effective.
Despite the growing differences, Biden’s aides are adamant about not allowing the U.S.-Israel relationship to rupture. They acknowledge the political imperative of supporting Israel, as a majority of Americans do, and Biden’s personal connection to the country. The president’s aides are wary of the pro-Palestinian protests within the Democratic party and on college campuses, realizing that Biden may be the last classically pro-Israel Democrat in the White House. The challenge of containing Netanyahu mirrors the struggles that past American presidents have faced in dealing with the Israeli leader, as tensions continue to rise.
The roots of the strained relationship between Biden and Netanyahu can be traced back to their disagreements during the Obama administration over issues like Israeli settlements and the Iran nuclear deal. While they have managed to navigate past rough patches, the current standoff over the Gaza war presents a significant obstacle. Netanyahu is facing pressure from both the public and hard-liners in his coalition to proceed with the Rafah operation, despite global concerns about the impact on the Palestinian population. His political survival may hinge on the outcome of the offensive, with the possibility of government collapse and new elections looming.
Biden, on the other hand, is balancing mounting protests from young Americans critical to his reelection, as well as backlash from Muslim Americans in key battleground states. Calls from allies like Senator Bernie Sanders to halt all offensive weaponry to Israel underscore the challenges Biden faces in managing domestic and international expectations. Republicans, including former President Trump, have criticized Biden’s decision to withhold weapons from Israel, calling it a betrayal of a crucial ally in the Middle East. The friction between the two leaders is not unprecedented, as past administrations have also navigated strained relationships with Israeli leaders.
As Biden and Netanyahu navigate their differences in the midst of the Gaza war, the future of their relationship remains uncertain. Both leaders are facing political challenges at home and abroad, with Netanyahu’s focus on the military operation in Rafah and Biden’s efforts to manage domestic and international pressures. Whether they can find common ground or if their diverging views will lead to a deeper rift remains to be seen. The complex dynamics between the U.S. and Israel underscore the delicate balance of power and politics in the Middle East.
