President Biden Criticizes Israel’s Military Campaign in Gaza as ‘Over the Top’
In a surprising turn of events, President Biden has criticized Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, calling it “over the top.” This marks a significant departure from his previous stance of unwavering support for Israel. The president expressed his hope that the ongoing negotiations for a release of hostages could pave the way for a change in the course of the war.
Biden’s criticism comes amidst growing anger among left-leaning parts of the Democratic base over the war in Gaza and its devastating impact on civilians. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli airstrikes and raids have resulted in the deaths of over 27,000 Palestinians in the past four months, creating a humanitarian catastrophe in the densely populated enclave.
The president, who has an emotional attachment to Israel, has been hesitant to speak in detail about the suffering in Gaza. However, he now acknowledges the desperate situation in the enclave, stating, “I’ve been pushing really hard to get humanitarian assistance into Gaza. A lot of innocent people are starving. A lot of innocent people are in trouble and they’re dying, and it’s got to stop.”
Biden’s change in tone is seen as a response to mounting pressure from young voters, people of color, Arab American, and Muslim Americans who strongly disapprove of his handling of the war. The president’s unwavering support for Israel has cost him politically, particularly as he seeks to secure support from these communities for his second term.
Despite this criticism, Congress is currently debating a foreign aid bill that includes $14 billion of aid for Israel. The bill passed a key threshold in the Senate on Thursday, indicating that support for Israel remains strong within Congress.
Meanwhile, Biden and his aides have grown frustrated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to limit civilian casualties and allow more aid into Gaza. Netanyahu’s defiance of U.S. calls to wind down military operations and his rejection of a deal for a long-term pause in fighting have strained the relationship between the two leaders.
Netanyahu’s recent vow to continue the military campaign into Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip has further angered U.S. officials. The White House spokesperson stated that such an operation would be a disaster for the people in Rafah, and the U.S. would not support it.
In response to criticism over Israel’s military campaign, Biden issued a national security memorandum that calls for countries receiving U.S. weapons to provide written assurances that they will abide by international law. This move aims to address concerns about whether Israel is adhering to international law despite receiving significant aid from the U.S.
During his remarks, Biden also mentioned his efforts to get aid into Gaza, including pressing Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi to open up the Rafah border crossing. However, he mistakenly referred to Sisi as “the president of Mexico,” highlighting concerns about his memory and mental agility raised in a special counsel report released on the same day.
President Biden’s criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza marks a significant shift in his stance and highlights the growing pressure he faces from within his own party. As the war continues to devastate the lives of innocent civilians, it remains to be seen how this change in tone will impact the ongoing negotiations and the overall trajectory of the conflict.
