In a recent 60 Minutes interview, President Joe Biden called on Israel to exercise restraint in response to the Hamas attack earlier this month. He warned that it would be a “big mistake” for Israel to occupy Gaza, emphasizing that extreme elements of Hamas do not represent all Palestinians.[0] Biden also stressed the importance of Israel abiding by the rules of war.[1] The President's call for restraint comes as the Biden administration faces criticism for not calling for de-escalation and a ceasefire, as well as not pressuring Israel to act within the confines of international law.
In a show of solidarity with Israel, President Biden is planning to visit the country, accepting an invitation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.[2] The visit aims to demonstrate the United States' support for its ally and to address the ongoing conflict. Additionally, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is working on a plan to provide aid to Gaza without it falling into the hands of Hamas.[3]
The Biden administration has reiterated its unwavering support for Israel diplomatically, financially, and militarily. President Biden, a self-described Zionist, has consistently voiced his support for Israel's right to defend itself. He has pledged to ensure that Israel has the necessary military resources to protect its citizens and respond to attacks.[4]
However, there are concerns that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could escalate into a wider regional war. Hezbollah, a powerful militant group in Lebanon, has warned that it could launch attacks against Israel if the conflict intensifies.[0] This could lead to Israeli retaliation and potentially draw the United States into the conflict to protect its ally.[0] There are also fears that the conflict could spark violence among Palestinians in the West Bank and generate anti-US sentiment in the Middle East.
Despite the support for Israel, President Biden has emphasized the need for a path to a Palestinian state.[5] He believes that Hamas and its extreme elements do not represent all Palestinians and that there should be a negotiated solution for the establishment of a Palestinian state.[6]
The Biden administration is also seeking additional funding from Congress to support Israel.[7] It is likely that Congress will authorize additional funding, but there may be delays if the aid package is tied to other politically contentious issues.[8]
Overall, President Biden's call for restraint, support for Israel, and push for a path to a Palestinian state reflect the complexities and challenges of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.[9] The administration is navigating a delicate balance between supporting its ally and working towards a peaceful resolution that benefits both Israelis and Palestinians.
0. “The US is mounting a frantic effort to head off a wider Middle East war” CNN, 16 Oct. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/16/politics/us-prevent-wider-middle-east-war/index.html
1. “Biden Says Israeli Occupation of Gaza Would Be a “Big Mistake”” Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2023, https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/10/biden-warns-israel-not-to-occupy-gaza
2. “Israel-Hamas War Live Updates: Conflict Intensifies as Egypt Faces Pressure to Open Border to Refugees” The Wall Street Journal, 17 Oct. 2023, https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-hamas-war-gaza-palestinians
3. “Israel-Hamas War Updates: Blinken Set to Return as US Tries to Contain War” Bloomberg, 17 Oct. 2023, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-16/israel-latest-blinken-set-to-return-as-us-tries-to-contain-war
4. “‘Mr President, put an end to this’: Palestinian Americans speak out on Gaza” Al Jazeera English, 13 Oct. 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/13/mr-president-put-an-end-to-this-palestinian-americans-speak-out-on-gaza
5. “‘I walk on this street every day:' Minneapolis teenager witnesses recent attacks in Israel” MPR News, 10 Oct. 2023, https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2023/10/10/i-walk-on-this-street-every-day-minneapolis-teenager-witnesses-recent-attacks-in-israel
6. “”Would Be A Big Mistake”: Joe Biden Cautions Israel Over Gaza Occupation” NDTV, 16 Oct. 2023, https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/israel-hamas-war-biden-considers-israel-visit-warns-against-gaza-occupation-4484252
7. “Biden stresses commitment to Israel but says there needs to be a path to a Palestinian state” CBS News, 15 Oct. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-talks-israel-gaza-hamas-60-minutes
8. “US-Israel support: How the US became Israel’s closest ally” Vox.com, 13 Oct. 2023, https://www.vox.com/world-politics/23916266/us-israel-support-ally-gaza-war-aid
9. “America Stands With Israel Now. But What About a Month From Now?” The New Republic, 16 Oct. 2023, https://newrepublic.com/article/176245/israel-ground-offensive-polling-biden
