Biden warns Netanyahu of US shift as pressure mounts
Washington: President Joe Biden warned Israel of a sharp shift in his policy over the Gaza war amid growing frustration with Benjamin Netanyahu and mounting domestic pressure in a US election year.
A tense phone call between the two leaders appeared to yield at least some results, as Netanyahu’s office announced within hours it would temporarily allow more aid to flow into Gaza.
Biden has stood solidly behind Israel and its prime minister since Hamas’ Oct 7 attacks, and his criticism of civilian deaths in Gaza has not stopped Washington from supplying military hardware to its key ally.
But the Democrat faces spiralling anger from Muslim and younger voters over his support for Israel, and political allies have been pressing him to make the aid conditional on changed Israeli behaviour.
In a 30-minute call with Netanyahu after Israeli strikes killed seven aid workers from Us-based charity World Central Kitchen, Biden hinted at doing just that.
For the first time, Biden “made clear that US policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action” to curtail the killing of civilians and aid workers and improve the dire humanitarian situation, the White House said.
The tough language, describing the aid worker attack as “unacceptable” and urging Israel to take steps towards an immediate ceasefire, reflected mounting tensions with Netanyahu.
“What happened to the World Central Kitchen, that event certainly was a catalyst for the call today,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told CNN Thursday evening.
Earlier this week the WCK convoy was repeatedly struck by Israeli forces despite clearing its route with the military.
A Us-canadian dual national was among those killed in the attack, which Israel has called a mistake.
Biden’s “frustration has been growing over recent weeks and months over the dangers to the civilian population in Gaza and to aid workers,” Kirby said.