Joe Biden bluntly told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Friday that he didn’t know whether the Israeli prime minister was upholding peace agreements in the Middle East, and that Israel was involved in a military conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. There is. Attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon – to influence the outcome of the 2024 US presidential election.
“No administration has supported Israel as much as I have. None. None, none. And I think Bibi should remember that,” Biden said, using Netanyahu’s nickname. He added, “And I don’t know if he’s trying to influence the election, but I’m not counting on that.”
The US president made a sudden and rare appearance at a Western news conference room for the first time since taking office, where he answered questions from reporters.
He was reacting to comments from one of his allies, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, who said on CNN this week that Netanyahu has little interest in a peace deal, in part because of U.S. politics. He said he was concerned about this.
The two leaders have long managed a complex relationship, but with disagreements over the Israel-Gaza war and a crisis in their political futures, maneuvering is running thin.
Mr. Biden has been pushing for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for months, but the ceasefire has not materialized, although the president and his aides have repeatedly emphasized that they are close to success. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has tried to negotiate peace with Israel through shuttle diplomacy and intermediaries to no avail, and in some cases, Prime Minister Netanyahu has publicly resisted the plan while U.S. and Israeli officials continue to negotiate peace deals. We are continuing to have confidential discussions regarding this matter. conclude a contract.
Meanwhile, Israel has recently made advances on two fronts, pursuing a ground invasion of Lebanon against Hezbollah and carrying out attacks in Gaza. And he vowed to retaliate against Iran’s ballistic missile attack this week as the region braces for further escalation.
Biden said there was talk of Israel attacking Iranian oil fields, but he had not yet decided what response he would take against Iran. “If I were in their shoes, I would attack Iran. I’ll think of other alternatives,” he said. oil field. ”
Biden pushed back against the idea that he was seeking a meeting with Netanyahu to discuss a response to Iran. That wasn’t the case, he said.
“Once they decide how to respond, we will have a discussion afterwards,” he said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is increasingly resisting Biden’s efforts. Biden has now publicly withheld the delivery of heavy bombs to Israel, raising concerns about an all-out war in the Middle East, despite domestic and international political calls for an end to U.S. arms sales to Israel. has never responded.
“I don’t think it’s going to be an all-out war,” Biden said Thursday night. “I think it’s avoidable. But there’s still a lot of work to be done.”
Mr. Biden has consistently expressed support for Israel even after the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7th. Since then, Biden has supported the continued and intensified US arms transfers to Israel, with few exceptions, but warns Israelis to be careful to avoid civilian casualties. It was just that.
Biden also ordered the U.S. military to step up operations in the region to protect Israel from attacks by Hamas, Hezbollah, Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, and Iran’s homeland. In April and again earlier this week, the United States played a leading role in shooting down missiles fired at Israel by Iran.
Biden said Thursday that the United States is “talking” with Israel about a possible Israeli attack on Iranian oil infrastructure.
His sudden remarks, which immediately sent oil prices soaring, did not make clear whether his administration was holding internal consultations or talking directly with Israel, nor did he clarify his stance on these attacks. .
Asked to clarify those comments, Biden told reporters Friday: That is under discussion. ”
Kamala Harris has also not taken a different position on arms sales, but she has been more vocal in recent months to demand an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and to stop Israel’s war in the Palestinian territories. condemns the killing of civilians in
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
