President Biden is indicating that increasing frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could result in a shift in U.S. support for Israel's military actions against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, after the shocking Israeli attack that killed aid workers from World Central Kitchen.
The White House has become more critical of Israel following a call between Biden and Netanyahu, after months of defending Israel's behavior despite the rising number of civilian casualties in Gaza.
During a 30-minute call with Netanyahu, the president condemned the attack that took the lives of World Central Kitchen aid workers who were assisting in providing food to Palestinians in Gaza, stating that it was “unacceptable.” Officials described the call as “very direct.”
The White House stated in a summary of the call that “he stressed the importance of Israel announcing and carrying out a series of specific, tangible, and measurable measures to address harm to civilians, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.” They also emphasized that the U.S. approach to Gaza will be based on evaluating Israel's immediate actions in response to these measures.
This marks a significant change from just a few days ago, when White House spokesperson John Kirby brushed off the idea of the U.S. imposing conditions on providing military aid to Israel.
Kirby informed reporters that the Biden-Netanyahu call was scheduled following the deaths of the World Central Kitchen workers, which deeply affected Biden.
Kirby declined to discuss potential policy decisions, but stressed the need to see genuine changes from the Israeli side, and suggested that the U.S. would make adjustments if no changes were observed from Israel.
Kirby expressed hope for a significant increase in humanitarian aid delivery, more open crossings, and a decrease in violence against civilians and aid workers in the coming “hours and days.”
When asked if there was increasing frustration on Biden’s part that his previous messages to Netanyahu had not been effective, Kirby confirmed that there was.
Tensions between Biden and Netanyahu have been brewing for months due to mounting pressure from activists and some Democratic lawmakers over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In Democratic primaries, numerous voters have cast ballots for “uncommitted” in protest against Biden’s management of the conflict.
Biden has argued that Israel has the right to self-defense against the terrorist organization while also urging Netanyahu to do more to safeguard civilians. In an interview with MSNBC last month, Biden remarked that Netanyahu's handling of the conflict was “detrimental to Israel.”
On the same day as the president’s call with Netanyahu, Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested to reporters that U.S. policy concerning Israel and Gaza could change if calls to protect civilians are not heeded.
Additionally, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed his own outrage at the Israeli strike that killed the aid workers from World Central Kitchen during a call with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant the day before.
The U.S. has also asked for a quick and immediate investigation into the attack as it continues to express increased worries about a major operation in Rafah.
Biden’s change in tone on Thursday received criticism from Republicans, who accused the president of giving in to political pressure and risking abandoning a key ally in Israel.
“By requesting an immediate ceasefire, the Biden administration is asking Israel to give in to Iran-backed Hamas,” Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Biden is turning his back on our strongest ally in the Middle East and prioritizing the far left over American hostages held by Hamas.”
“President Biden’s message is clear: For terrorists like Hamas who kill without care and hide behind civilians — consequences are short-lived,” Raj Aryal, a spokesperson for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) wrote on X.
Kirby on Thursday told reporters Israel is a “friend and a partner,” and he noted Biden has for his entire political career advocated for Israel and its longevity.
“And that’s not going to change,” Kirby added.
Biden on his call also “emphasized that an immediate ceasefire is crucial to stabilize and improve the humanitarian situation and protect innocent civilians, and he urged the Prime Minister to empower his negotiators to conclude a deal without delay to bring the hostages home.”
The Israeli leader is seen as an obstacle to reaching a deal with Hamas for a proposal for a six-week pause in fighting, though White House officials had in the past blamed Hamas for holding up a cease-fire agreement.
The language seemed to cause confusion as to whether the White House would accept a pause in fighting that did not include the release of hostages.
“I can’t really improve upon the president’s language. We want to see a pause in the fighting, we want to see a ceasefire immediately, so that we can get more humanitarian assistance in and create a sense of conditions where aid organizations feel better about operating inside Gaza,” Kirby said.
“We also, of course, as we’ve said many times, think that could also provide a window here to get the hostages out,” he added.
Laura Kelly contributed.
