The Biden-Netanyahu relationship is tense again. What will it look like in the future
- 2 days ago
Relations between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are again tense. This is because there are differences of opinion regarding Israel's attack on the Palestinian city of Rafah, which is opposed by the United States.
Relations also hit rock bottom when Biden delayed sending bombs to Israel and warned that supplies of artillery and other weaponry could also be suspended.
If Netanyahu continues a large-scale operation in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, which is densely packed with refugees, however, Netanyahu ignored Biden's warning and promised to continue moving forward, saying, "If we have to stand alone, we will stand alone," explained Netanyahu, quoted by AP News on Friday (10/5/2024).
Biden has long prided himself on being able to manage Netanyahu with more reward than punishment. But the escalation of discord over the past seven months suggests that his approach may be long past its best.
As the two leaders balance the explosive Middle East situation with their respective domestic political problems, Netanyahu has increasingly resisted Biden's public appeals and private pleas, prompting the president's firmer pushback in recent weeks.
"If they go into Rafah, I will not supply the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah," Biden said in an interview with CNN on Wednesday, while expressing his growing differences with Netanyahu.
Even so, Biden's aides insist that the president is unwilling to allow US-Israel relations to completely fracture under his watch. They cited not only political interests—the majority of Americans supporting Israel—but also Biden's personal history with the country and his belief in the country's right to defend itself.
The president's aides, watching as pro-Palestinian protests rock his party and campuses that are breeding grounds for Democratic voters, have mused for months that Biden could be the last pro-Israel Democrat in the White House.
Their optimism about their ability to contain Netanyahu may fall into the same trap that has vexed many American presidents who have clashed with the Israeli leader for decades. White House national security spokesman John Kirby declined to say whether Biden briefed Netanyahu on Thursday, specifically about his decision to suspend deliveries of 3,500 bombs, when the leaders spoke earlier this week.
Relations also hit rock bottom when Biden delayed sending bombs to Israel and warned that supplies of artillery and other weaponry could also be suspended.
If Netanyahu continues a large-scale operation in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, which is densely packed with refugees, however, Netanyahu ignored Biden's warning and promised to continue moving forward, saying, "If we have to stand alone, we will stand alone," explained Netanyahu, quoted by AP News on Friday (10/5/2024).
Biden has long prided himself on being able to manage Netanyahu with more reward than punishment. But the escalation of discord over the past seven months suggests that his approach may be long past its best.
As the two leaders balance the explosive Middle East situation with their respective domestic political problems, Netanyahu has increasingly resisted Biden's public appeals and private pleas, prompting the president's firmer pushback in recent weeks.
"If they go into Rafah, I will not supply the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah," Biden said in an interview with CNN on Wednesday, while expressing his growing differences with Netanyahu.
Even so, Biden's aides insist that the president is unwilling to allow US-Israel relations to completely fracture under his watch. They cited not only political interests—the majority of Americans supporting Israel—but also Biden's personal history with the country and his belief in the country's right to defend itself.
The president's aides, watching as pro-Palestinian protests rock his party and campuses that are breeding grounds for Democratic voters, have mused for months that Biden could be the last pro-Israel Democrat in the White House.
Their optimism about their ability to contain Netanyahu may fall into the same trap that has vexed many American presidents who have clashed with the Israeli leader for decades. White House national security spokesman John Kirby declined to say whether Biden briefed Netanyahu on Thursday, specifically about his decision to suspend deliveries of 3,500 bombs, when the leaders spoke earlier this week.