President Biden told a Democratic lawmaker and members of his Cabinet that he informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that they will need to have a serious meeting.
Biden’s remarks, caught on a microphone as he talked with Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) on the House chamber floor, came after Bennet praised the president's speech and urged him to maintain pressure on Netanyahu regarding increasing humanitarian problems in Gaza.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg were present during the short conversation.
“I told him, Bibi — and don’t repeat this — but you and I are going to have a serious meeting,” Biden said.
An aide to Biden then seemed to notify the president that his microphone was still on.
“I’m on a hot mic here,” Biden replied. “Good. That’s good.”
During his address, Biden spoke for over five minutes about the Israel-Hamas war, the most time spent on a single topic other than when he spoke on democracy, as per a CNN breakdown of the speech.
“This war has had a larger impact on innocent civilians in Gaza than all previous wars combined,” Biden said, also stating that he has urged Israel to “do its part” and allow more aid into the territory through additional border openings.
The president, who has publicly expressed his frustration with Netanyahu and his government’s reluctance to allow more urgently needed aid into Gaza, announced in his speech that the U.S. military would aid in establishing a temporary pier near the area to facilitate more supply deliveries.
“Tonight I’m directing the U.S. military to lead an urgent mission to set up a temporary pier in the Mediterranean on the coast of Gaza that can receive large shipments containing food, water, medicine and temporary shelters,” he said.
Last week, the Pentagon began dropping aid into Gaza by air.
