WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden issued a strong message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, uncertain if the Israeli leader was stalling a Mideast peace agreement to sway the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
“No administration has helped Israel more than I have, none. None, none. And I think Bibi should remember that,” Biden remarked, using Netanyahu’s nickname. “Whether he’s trying to influence the election, I don’t know, but I’m not counting on that.”
In an unusual White House press briefing appearance, Biden addressed concerns raised by some lawmakers about Netanyahu’s lack of interest in pursuing a peace deal, influenced by U.S. political dynamics.
“I don’t think you have to be a hopeless cynic to read some of Israel’s actions, some of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s actions, as connected to the American election,” acknowledged a concerned senator.
Biden and Netanyahu have navigated a complex relationship amid diverging perspectives on the Gaza conflict, with both their political futures increasingly at stake.
A successful diplomatic agreement could bridge divisions among Democrats regarding the war and bolster support for Vice President Kamala Harris, reducing global conflicts for her to address in potentially assuming a leading role. For Netanyahu, halting military operations could risk the stability of his far-right coalition and expose him to political vulnerabilities at home. Additionally, Israel has intensified military efforts against Hezbollah, further complicating any inclination to pursue peace.
Despite Biden’s advocacy for a diplomatic resolution, recent months have seen little progress, with Netanyahu appearing resistant to discussions regarding a deal, even as negotiations continue behind closed doors.
In a recent joint appeal, the U.S., France, and allied nations urged an immediate 21-day cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah. However, Netanyahu publicly rejected the proposal, asserting Israel’s intention to continue targeting Hezbollah until its objectives are fulfilled.
Israel is currently engaged in military actions on multiple fronts, aiming at the leadership of Hezbollah and continuing operations in Gaza, which have regrettably resulted in numerous civilian casualties, including children. The nation has also vowed retribution following a ballistic missile attack from Iran this week.
Concerns about escalating military tensions have driven oil prices up by 5%, raising fears that Israeli attacks on Iranian facilities could create economic fallout, particularly with upcoming elections.
Biden indicated no definitive decisions had been made regarding U.S. responses to Iran but noted, “If I were in their shoes, I’d be thinking about other alternatives than striking oil fields.”
Biden clarified that while he was not actively seeking a meeting with Netanyahu to discuss Iran’s response, discussions would take place once a decision had been reached.
In recent exchanges, Netanyahu has shown increased resistance to Biden’s diplomatic outreach and private discussions, prompting the president to adopt a more assertive stance. Biden has delayed arms deliveries to Israel and raised concerns about potential escalation into all-out war in the Middle East.
Despite their extensive history, the relationship between Biden and Netanyahu remains tense. Past disagreements have resurged, particularly after controversial Israeli government announcements during Biden’s tenure as vice president.
Nonetheless, Biden has consistently affirmed U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself. Following the deadly attacks on October 7, Biden expressed solidarity with Netanyahu, showcasing a continued commitment to military support while urging caution to prevent civilian casualties.
Biden emphasized, “The Israelis have every right to respond to the vicious attacks on them… But they have to be very much more careful about dealing with civilian casualties.”
The Biden administration has also ramped up military presence in the region to safeguard Israel against threats from Hamas, Hezbollah, and other groups, demonstrating a proactive stance in defense of Israeli security.
In contrast, former President Donald Trump has maintained a notably amicable relationship with Netanyahu, having enacted several policies that aligned with Israeli interests during his administration, including recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the Golan Heights as sovereign Israel territory.
