Biden In a significant development, President Joe Biden has threatened to condition support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza on specific actions to protect aid workers and civilians. This move, outlined in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, signals a potential shift in US policy towards Israel’s military operations.
The warning from Biden comes after a deadly Israeli attack on aid workers from the World Central Kitchen group, which led to renewed calls from Democrats to place conditions on US aid to Israel. The attack, which Israel described as a mistake, resulted in the deaths of seven aid workers.
In the call, Biden stressed the need for Israel to announce and implement “specific, concrete, and measurable steps” to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers. This marks the first time Biden has hinted at the possibility of conditioning aid to Israel based on its actions.
The United States is Israel’s top weapons supplier, and historically, the Biden administration has provided strong diplomatic support for Israel at the United Nations. However, the recent attack on aid workers and mounting pressure from within Biden’s own political base have pushed for a reassessment of US policy.
Following the call, White House spokesperson John Kirby mentioned that they hope to see Israeli steps in the “coming hours and days,” hinting at a potential shift if Israel fails to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
This move by Biden reflects growing frustration and pressure to end the conflict in Gaza, which has seen over 33,000 Palestinians killed since the October 7 attack by Hamas. The conflict began when Islamist fighters from Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in casualties and the seizure of hostages.
Biden emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire to stabilize the situation, improve humanitarian conditions, and protect innocent civilians. He urged Netanyahu to empower negotiators to reach a deal to bring home hostages captured by Hamas during the October 7 attack.
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, echoed Biden’s sentiments, stating that Israel must surge humanitarian assistance and ensure the security of aid providers. Blinken warned that if necessary changes are not seen, there could be changes in US policy towards Israel.
The recent attack on aid workers was described as a “last straw” by analysts, prompting Biden’s “come to Jesus conversation” with Netanyahu. The outcome of this conversation could have significant implications for US-Israel relations and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The situation remains fluid, with expectations of Israeli announcements on measures to address the concerns raised by Biden. The US’s stance on supporting Israel’s offensive in Gaza hangs in the balance, awaiting concrete actions from Israel to protect aid workers and civilians.
This development marks a potential turning point in US-Israel relations, as Biden navigates domestic pressure and international concerns over the situation in Gaza. As the conflict continues, the world watches closely for further developments and potential shifts in policy.
