President Joe Biden made his harshest criticism yet of the Israeli government during a campaign reception in Washington. He stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a “tough decision to make” and suggested that the current government is hindering a long-term solution. According to Biden, the conservative government in Israel, led by Netanyahu, is making it difficult for progress to be made in the region.
Biden specifically mentioned the far-right members of the Israeli government, such as National Security Minister Ben Gvir, who do not support a two-state solution with the Palestinians. He deemed this to be a significant obstacle in reaching a peaceful resolution. The President emphasized that changes must be made within the Israeli government to pave the way for progress.
The military offensive against Hamas in Gaza, coupled with the increasing number of civilian casualties, has led to a decline in support for Israel globally, according to Biden. He highlighted the need for Israel to learn from the United States’ mistakes following the 9/11 attacks, acknowledging that the world’s public opinion can shift rapidly. The President called for caution in order to prevent further erosion of international backing for Israel.
While criticizing the Israeli government, Biden also stressed the importance of holding Hamas accountable for the terrorist attack on Oct. 7. He maintained that Hamas bears responsibility for its actions and reiterated his commitment to the safety of Jewish people and the security of Israel as a sovereign state. Biden acknowledged that many attendees at the reception had personal connections to the attack or its aftermath.
Both sides of the conflict have suffered losses during the fighting. The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported over 18,000 fatalities since Oct. 7, while Israeli military officials claimed the lives of 97 soldiers killed in the response to Hamas terrorists. As the death toll increased, calls for a ceasefire became louder. However, the United States vetoed a United Nations resolution that called for an immediate halt to hostilities, with Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Robert Wood, explaining that the resolution might perpetuate further conflict in the future.
There had been a temporary ceasefire in place as part of an agreement to exchange hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners. However, fighting resumed after Israel accused Hamas of breaking the agreement. The breakdown of such agreements only exacerbates the animosity and makes it more challenging to achieve a lasting peace.
President Biden’s criticism of the Israeli government reflects his concern about the obstacles hindering progress towards peace in the region. He called for changes within the Israeli government, particularly with regard to opposition to a two-state solution. Additionally, Biden highlighted the declining support for Israel worldwide due to the military offensive in Gaza and the increasing number of civilian casualties. While criticizing the Israeli government, the President emphasized the need for Hamas to be held accountable for the Oct. 7 attack. The toll of the conflict and calls for a ceasefire further illustrate the urgency of finding a resolution. It remains to be seen how the Israeli government will respond to Biden’s remarks and whether they will lead to a shift in policy.
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