As the conflict approached its fifth month, Biden became leery of Netanyahu and privately referred to him as a “bad ****ing guy,” Politico claimed, citing unnamed sources. Biden spokesperson Andrew Bates dismissed the story, telling the outlet that the two leaders have a “decades-long relationship that is respectful in public and private,” adding that “the president did not say that, nor would he.” In recent weeks, Netanyahu and White House officials have clashed over the notion of a Palestinian state as part of a regional agreement that includes healing ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
According to the story, some Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris, have begun to recognize that the administration’s backing for Israel in the war could cost them significant support among young people in the 2024 presidential race. Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel’s minister of national security, blasted the Biden administration for managing the Gaza crisis, arguing that it aided Hamas and that Israel would have been better off engaging with the Trump administration.
Biden is busy with giving humanitarian aid and fuel, which goes to Hamas
Ben Gvir stated in an interview with the Wall Street Journal published on Sunday that “Instead of giving us his full backing, [President Joe] Biden is busy with giving humanitarian aid and fuel, which goes to Hamas.” “If Trump were in power, the US conduct would be completely different.” During a campaign event last month, Republican frontrunner Trump called Biden the “worst president” in the history of the United States and claimed that “Russia would not have attacked [Ukraine], Israel would never have been attacked” if he had been president.
Ben Gvir’s remarks were rejected by Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, a member of Netanyahu’s three-man War Cabinet, claiming that he was “causing tremendous damage” to US-Israeli ties. Earlier, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant publicly thanked US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and the Biden administration “for their efforts in pursuing a framework for the return of the hostages, for their commitment to Israel’s security, and their leadership in strengthening security in the Middle East region.”
Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security advisor, told CBS News that expanding humanitarian aid to Gaza would be a “top priority” during Blinken’s trip to Israel. Beginning on Monday, Blinken will go to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and the West Bank. Addressing the cabinet on Sunday, Netanyahu stated that he did not “need help to know how to navigate our relations with the US and the international community while standing firm on our national interests.” Last week, Netanyahu harshly reacted after the Biden administration imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers accused of committing acts of violence against Palestinians. “The overwhelming majority of residents in Judea and Samaria are law-abiding citizens, many of whom are currently fighting – as conscripts and reservists – to defend Israel,” Netanyahu said.