President Joe Biden ‘s growing frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to mount, with the Democrat captured on a hot mic saying that he and the Israeli leader will need to have a “come to Jesus meeting.”
Quick Read
- President Joe Biden expressed increasing frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, hinting at a necessary “come to Jesus meeting” during a hot mic incident after the State of the Union address.
- The discussion involved Senator Michael Bennet and highlighted concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with Secretaries Antony Blinken and Pete Buttigieg also participating.
- Biden’s off-the-cuff remark about a serious meeting with Netanyahu (“Bibi”) was inadvertently broadcast due to an open microphone.
- The president’s frustration is driven by the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where tight Israeli control over aid deliveries has led to severe shortages of food.
- Biden has publicly criticized the Israeli government for not opening more land crossings to allow essential aid into Gaza.
- In his State of the Union address, Biden emphasized the importance of humanitarian aid in Gaza not being used as a bargaining chip by Israel.
- Biden announced a U.S. initiative to establish a temporary pier in Gaza to significantly increase humanitarian aid delivery, supplementing ongoing efforts like airdrops by the U.S. military.
The Associated Press has the story:
Biden in a hot mic moment shows his growing frustration with Netanyahu
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
President Joe Biden ‘s growing frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to mount, with the Democrat captured on a hot mic saying that he and the Israeli leader will need to have a “come to Jesus meeting.”
The comments by Biden came as he spoke with Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., on the floor of the House chamber following Thursday night’s State of the Union address.
In the exchange, Bennet congratulates Biden on his speech and urges the president to keep pressing Netanyahu on growing humanitarian concerns in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg were also part of the brief conversation.
Biden then responds using Netanyahu’s nickname, saying, “I told him, Bibi, and don’t repeat this, but you and I are going to have a ‘come to Jesus’ meeting.”
An aide to the president standing nearby then speaks quietly into the president’s ear, appearing to alert Biden that microphones remained on as he worked the room.
“I’m on a hot mic here,” Biden says after being alerted. “Good. That’s good.”
A widening humanitarian crisis across Gaza and tight Israeli control of aid trucks have left virtually the entire population desperately short of food, according to the United Nations. Officials have been warning for months that Israel’s siege and offensive were pushing the Palestinian territory into famine.
Biden has become increasingly public about his frustration with the Netanyahu government’s unwillingness to open more land crossings for critically needed aid to make its way into Gaza.
In his address on Thursday, he called on the Israelis to do more to alleviate the suffering even as they try to eliminate Hamas.
“To Israel, I say this humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip,” Biden said.
The president announced in his speech Thursday that the U.S. military would help establish a temporary pier aimed at boosting the amount of aid getting into the territory. Last week, the U.S. military began air dropping aid into Gaza.
Biden said the temporary pier, ”will enable a massive increase in humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza.”
