What does Biden’s criticism of Netanyahu mean?

President Biden’s criticism of Netanyahu during an election campaign meeting was interpreted as a potential shift in his full support policy after the October 7 attacks. The American media suggests that Biden views Netanyahu’s government as the most right-wing in Israel and believes it doesn’t seek any resolution, such as a two-state solution. Biden stated that the ‘non-discriminatory bombardments of civilians’ in the Gaza operations have reduced international support for Israel, acknowledging widely known facts. However, expecting a significant change in American policy might be overly optimistic, as Biden emphasized in the same meeting that he would not take any steps compromising Israel’s security, continuing to see the issue in the context of Israel defending itself.

WHO WILL GOVERN GAZA?

It was reported that the White House is trying to persuade Israel to hand over Gaza to the Palestinian Authority after the war. Netanyahu opposed this, stating that Gaza would not become ‘Hamasistan or Fatahstan.’ The Biden administration aims to reduce political pressure by leaking that they advised Netanyahu to pay more attention to civilian casualties. The Biden administration prefers to highlight the debate on who will govern Gaza, wishing to divert attention from the Gaza operations. It is evident that Netanyahu wants to keep Gaza occupied for his political future, fighting against Hamas. Biden, on the other hand, suggests Gaza should be governed by the Palestinian Authority, signaling the elimination of Hamas. However, it’s known that neither the elimination of Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority governing Gaza is a realistic and permanent solution.

CONTINUED SUPPORT AND ARMS SALES AT THE UN

Despite not heeding the White House’s advice on Gaza, Netanyahu doesn’t forget to thank the U.S. for its aid. Aware that he cannot withstand international pressure without America’s protection, Netanyahu tries to convey the message that he is the only actor who can manage relations with Washington among coalition partners. The Biden administration, despite demanding limited changes in Israel’s policies, insists on its unwavering support policy. This was evident in the recent UN vote, showing how far the U.S. has deviated from the principle of the ‘rules-based international system.’ While Washington continues to provide arms to Israel despite attacks that blur the concept of ‘proportional response’ and involve war crimes using phosphorus bombs, it seems there is ample reason for Netanyahu to thank Biden, and there is no sign of these dynamics changing soon.

‘I AM A ZIONIST’

While Biden insists on withdrawing from Afghanistan and focusing on China, he also united the West in supporting Ukraine against Russian invasion. These steps largely align with both America’s national interests and Biden’s rhetoric on democracy and the rules-based international system. Biden’s support for Israel after Hamas’ October 7 attacks did not surprise those familiar with American politics. However, it was relatively surprising that Biden directly supported Israel’s campaign to obliterate Gaza despite significant civilian casualties. It is challenging to rationalize Biden’s embrace of arguments from Netanyahu, which contradicts all values he defended in Ukraine, isolating the U.S. internationally and ignoring the reactions of young, Black, and progressive Democratic groups. Explaining these examples outside of strategic blindness and ideological obsessions is challenging.

Biden, in a ceremony where he criticized antisemitism this week, recounted the political pressures he faced for stating 35 years ago, ‘Being Jewish is not necessary to be a Zionist. And I am a Zionist.’ Biden has previously used expressions like ‘If there was no Israel, we would have to invent it’ and linked the security of Jews to the existence of Israel. It can be politically surprising that Biden, in his second term, insists on his Israel policy, risking American national interests. The only explanation for Biden’s insistence might be an irrational and ideological perspective based on assumptions that many Jews might not accept.

[Yeni Şafak, December 15, 2023]