President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke for the first time since Israel’s deadly strike on a convoy of aid workers in Gaza, causing a furor in the Biden White House despite unwavering public support for Israel. Israel acknowledged responsibility for the strikes, claiming the convoy was not targeted and the workers’ deaths were not intentional, and continues to investigate the circumstances. Biden explicitly blamed Israel for failing to protect aid workers and civilians in Gaza, stating that incidents like these should not happen.
Despite Biden’s criticism of Israel’s actions, the relationship between the United States and Israel remains strong. Biden is set to approve an $18 billion sale of fighter jets from the US to Israel and has authorized the transfer of over 1,000 pounds of bombs. While calling for a temporary ceasefire that includes the release of hostages held by Hamas, Biden has refrained from calling for a permanent ceasefire or a ground invasion of Gaza. This stance has put him at odds with other world leaders and US allies who are advocating for a more aggressive approach to ending the conflict.
Biden’s criticism of Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza has not impacted his support for Israel’s right to defend itself against threats from Hamas. The White House National Security Council reiterated that while there are concerns about Israeli operations, the US still believes Israel has the right to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas. Biden’s messaging on supporting Israel has remained consistent despite the differing opinions on how the conflict should be handled.
The deadly strikes on the aid workers in Gaza have caused tensions between the US and Israel, with Biden and Netanyahu voicing differing opinions on Israel’s actions in Gaza. Biden has condemned the strikes and called for better protection of aid workers and civilians, but the US’s support for Israel has not wavered. Biden has faced criticism for his hesitance to call for a permanent ceasefire or to halt the sale of weapons to Israel, but he maintains that Israel has the right to defend itself.
As the conflict in Gaza continues, Biden’s approach to supporting Israel while also calling for restraint has put him at odds with other world leaders. While some have criticized Israel’s actions and called for a more forceful response, Biden has maintained his support for Israel while also expressing concern for civilian casualties. The future of US-Israel relations remains uncertain as the conflict in Gaza shows no signs of abating, and the Biden administration weighs its response to the ongoing violence.
