President Joe Biden says he’s told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel risks losing international support because of “indiscriminate bombing” during its war with Hamas in Gaza, but that he’s not sure the country’s staunchest conservative leaders are getting the message.
Quick Read
- Biden’s Warning to Netanyahu: Biden has communicated to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel is at risk of losing international support due to its “indiscriminate bombing” in the conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
- Concerns About Israeli Government: Biden expressed concerns about Netanyahu’s current government, suggesting that it complicates the situation and that Netanyahu needs to make significant decisions.
- Israel’s Waning International Support: According to Biden, Israel, which traditionally has had robust international backing, is starting to see a decline in support because of its military tactics in Gaza.
- Criticism of Itamar Ben-Gvir: Biden specifically called out Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right leader in Netanyahu’s coalition, who is against a two-state solution and advocates for Israeli control over the West Bank and Gaza.
- Doubts About Israeli Leadership’s Understanding: Biden indicated uncertainty about whether Netanyahu and his war Cabinet, including Ben-Gvir, fully grasp the consequences of the ongoing conflict and bombing in Gaza.
- Advice Against Replicating U.S. Post-9/11 Mistakes: Biden advised Netanyahu not to repeat the mistakes the U.S. made following the September 11 attacks, referring to the prolonged military engagement in Afghanistan as an example of excessive response.
The Associated Press has the story:
Biden to Netanyahu: ‘Indiscriminate Bombing in Gaza Endangers Israel’s Support’
Newslooks- WASHINGTON
President Joe Biden says he’s told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel risks losing international support because of “indiscriminate bombing” during its war with Hamas in Gaza, but that he’s not sure the country’s staunchest conservative leaders are getting the message.
Speaking at a fundraiser for his reelection campaign in Washington on Tuesday, Biden said,
Israel risks losing international support because of “indiscriminate bombing” during its war with Hamas in Gaza.”
Biden said.
“Israel has a tough decision to make. Bibi has a tough decision to make.” He added of Netanyahu, “I think he has to change his government. His government in Israel is making it very difficult.”
Biden said.
“One of the things that Bibi understands, is that Israel’s security can rest on the United States. But, right now, it has more than the United States. It has the European Union, it has Europe, it has most of the world supporting them. But they’re starting to lose that support by indiscriminate bombing that takes place.”
Biden said .
Biden also called out Itamar Ben-Gvir, the leader of a far-right Israeli party and the minister of national security in Netanyahu’s governing coalition. Ben-Gvir opposes a two-state solution and has called for the Israel to reassert control over all of the West Bank and Gaza.
Biden suggested that he wasn’t sure Ben-Gvir and Netanyahu’s war Cabinet understand the implications of the ongoing bombing.
The president also said he urged Netanyahu not to “make the same mistakes” the U.S. made after Sept. 11, saying the U.S. military response landed it in a long war in Afghanistan and “there’s no reason we did so many of the things we did.”
