President Biden recently spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging Israel to implement a ceasefire agreement following the killing of seven humanitarian aid workers in Gaza. The conversation highlighted growing U.S. disapproval of Israel’s response to the war against Hamas fighters in Gaza, which has resulted in a high number of civilian casualties. Biden emphasized the need for Israel to take concrete steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.
The White House readout of the call stated that Biden called for Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire deal in Gaza without delay. The two leaders also discussed public threats from Iran against Israel, with the U.S. expressing support for Israel in that regard. Biden publicly expressed his outrage and dismay over the airstrikes that killed aid workers, stating that Israel has not done enough to protect those delivering aid to civilians in need.
Despite the strained relationship between the U.S. and Israel over the conflict in Gaza, the U.S. continues to send weapons to Israel to support its military actions. This has caused some backlash within the U.S., with a Gallup poll showing declining support for Israel’s military action in Gaza among U.S. adults. Some Democrats in Congress have pressured Biden to take a stronger stance against Israel’s handling of the war, with calls for tying further funding to Israel with a ceasefire in Gaza.
Former President Donald Trump, Biden’s political rival, has also criticized Israel’s approach to the conflict in Gaza. Trump stated that Israel is losing the PR war but urged them to finish what they started quickly to achieve victory against Hamas. Despite these comments, both Trump and Biden have expressed concerns over the high civilian casualties and humanitarian toll of the conflict in Gaza.
Overall, the recent phone call between Biden and Netanyahu underscores the growing tension between the U.S. and Israel over the conflict in Gaza. Biden’s calls for a ceasefire and concrete steps to address civilian harm highlight the need to prioritize the safety and well-being of civilians and aid workers in the region. The ongoing debate within the U.S. government over further support for Israel reflects the complexity of the situation and the diverse perspectives on how best to resolve the conflict and protect the rights of all involved parties.
