A few Republican lawmakers have criticized President Joe Biden for condemning Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza, while some Democrats continue to pressure him to change his approach to the conflict. The White House has been increasingly critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military response in Gaza following a surprise attack by Palestinian militia Hamas on October 7. Over 1,200 people were killed and another 253 taken hostage in the assault, with Gaza health officials attributing over 33,000 Palestinian deaths to Israeli actions. During an interview with Univision, Biden criticized Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza, calling them a mistake and expressing disagreement with his approach. Israel has also faced international pressure after killing seven aid workers in an airstrike, which Netanyahu described as a tragic event.
While some Democrats have called on Biden to push for a cease-fire and withhold additional security assistance for Israel due to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Republicans have criticized the White House for criticizing Netanyahu. Senator Tom Cotton argued that Israel was the victim of an unprovoked attack and questioned why aid should be provided to the aggressors. Congressman Mark Alford commended Israel’s resolve and urged the U.S. to cut funding for Palestinian aid programs. Other Republicans accused Biden of changing his policies towards Israel to cater to certain Democratic constituents, citing polling data showing disapproval of his handling of the war in Gaza.
Former President Donald Trump, a potential challenger to Biden in the upcoming election, also expressed uncertainty about Israel’s approach to the conflict, stating that they were losing the PR war. Trump called for a swift resolution to the conflict to return to peace and normalcy. Some Republicans and conservative commentators have criticized Biden for his stance on supporting Israel while facing pressure from his Democratic base. Biden has been accused of sending mixed messages to different groups for political gain, with Florida Representative Brian Mast accusing him of being willing to sacrifice Israel for votes.
Overall, the conflict in Gaza has become a contentious issue for U.S. policymakers, with President Biden facing criticism from some Republicans and pressure from certain factions within the Democratic Party to adopt a different approach. International scrutiny of Israel’s actions in Gaza has further complicated the situation, with calls for a cease-fire and humanitarian aid intensifying. As the conflict continues, it remains to be seen how the Biden administration will navigate these challenges and address the competing interests and demands from different stakeholders. The future of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East will likely be influenced by the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the responses of key players, both domestic and international.
