President Joe Biden addressed concerns regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s delay in agreeing to a Gaza ceasefire, questioning whether it might impact the upcoming US elections. During his first press briefing at the White House since taking office, Biden stated, “Whether he’s trying to influence the election, I don’t know – but I’m not counting on that.”
The president emphasized his administration’s strong support for Israel, asserting, “No administration has helped Israel more than I have. None, none, none. And I think [Netanyahu] should remember that.”
Democratic leaders have expressed alarm that Netanyahu’s inaction may be an attempt to undermine the Democratic Party’s standings in the November elections. Senator Chris Murphy remarked, “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.”
Public opinion polls suggest that the rising violence in the Middle East and the lack of diplomatic progress are adversely affecting Biden’s approval ratings, particularly among Arab-American voters. As a result, there are growing concerns about the Democratic Party’s prospects in the upcoming elections.
Biden has consistently advocated for a diplomatic resolution between Israel and Hamas, hinting that an agreement could be imminent. However, the possibility of reaching a deal prior to the elections appears to be diminishing. While the Biden administration has criticized Hamas for failing to reach an agreement, Biden has increasingly voiced frustration with Netanyahu, noting that the Israeli leader has not done enough to pursue a deal.
Reports indicate that Netanyahu may not perceive a diplomatic resolution as politically advantageous, given potential opposition from his coalition members. Earlier this month, Netanyahu stated there was “not a deal in the making,” countering US claims that a negotiation was almost finalized.
The relationship between Biden and Netanyahu, which has grown tense over the years, stands in stark contrast to the rapport the Israeli leader maintained with former President Donald Trump.
As Israel continues its military operations in Gaza and pursues actions in southern Lebanon, the administration is also monitoring an Iranian ballistic missile attack. During the recent press briefing, Biden addressed concerns about potential Israeli strikes on Iranian oil fields, advising against such action. He stated, “The Israelis have not concluded what they are going to do in terms of a strike. If I were in their shoes, I’d be thinking about other alternatives than striking oil fields.”
Biden’s comments regarding discussions with Israel about strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure led to fluctuations in oil prices earlier this week.
