President Biden has expressed outrage and heartbreak over the killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza, prompting questions about whether this tragic incident would lead him to impose conditions on the weapons sent to Israel. Despite the tense relationship between President Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House has remained silent on whether this incident would lead to a breaking point in their interactions. President Biden has made it clear that launching a bombing campaign on the southern city of Rafah would be a “red line,” without specifying the consequences. Some Democratic lawmakers have been calling for conditions to be placed on the arms the United States supplies to Israel, as they believe that Netanyahu has not done enough to protect aid workers.
Conditions on how American arms are used are usually standard, with restrictions imposed on most countries except for Israel. Senator Chuck Schumer has declined to call for limits on arms even though he urged new elections in Israel. There are steps that President Biden could demand, such as having aid convoys escorted by the Israel Defense Forces or ensuring constant communication with aid providers. Issues surrounding safe passage for food and medicine were raised by U.S. senators in a meeting with Mr. Netanyahu in February, but the recent strike on the aid workers suggests those issues were not fully resolved.
President Biden’s frustration with the situation has been evident, with his defense secretary expressing outrage with his Israeli counterpart and emphasizing the need to protect aid workers and civilians in Gaza. Discussions with Israeli officials have focused on the need for a comprehensive evacuation plan for the refugees in the Rafah region. While the United States still fears that the Israelis do not have a credible plan for evacuation, they have not yet launched attacks on Rafah, possibly due to American pressure. The attack on the World Central Kitchen convoy may have been a breaking point for President Biden, who has been criticized for acting too cautiously.
Despite expressing anger over the killing of the aid workers, President Biden has stopped short of openly breaking with Prime Minister Netanyahu, fearing it would make the situation more difficult. This has left him in a difficult position, criticized by both progressives and moderates for not taking stronger action. Critics have noted that President Biden’s most visceral expression of anger at Israel’s military campaign came over the killing of foreign humanitarian workers rather than the deaths of Palestinian civilians. Some believe that President Biden’s personal compassion has not extended to showing empathy for Palestinians in this situation.
There are doubts among some veteran diplomats that this incident would lead President Biden to shift his approach towards Israel, despite his strong words of outrage. It remains to be seen whether this tragic incident will result in a change in policy from the Biden administration. The disparity in reactions to incidents involving Western aid workers compared to Palestinian civilians has raised questions about President Biden’s empathy towards Palestinians. Despite his reputation for empathy and compassion, President Biden’s response to Palestinian lives has been criticized for being lacking.
