In a terse exchange that highlights growing tensions over the Israel-Hamas conflict, President Biden delivered a sharp retort to an Israeli journalist Tuesday during a high-stakes diplomatic meeting at the White House.
The exchange
When Israel Channel 13‘s Neria Kraus asked, “President Biden, do you think we can get a hostage deal by the end of your term?” the president responded with an unexpected jab: “Do you think you can keep from getting hit in the head by a — a camera behind you?”
The moment, captured on video by Kraus herself, occurred just before Biden met Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whom the president described as “a personal friend.”
Pattern of confrontational responses
This latest interaction adds to a growing list of confrontational exchanges between the 81-year-old president and members of the media. In a notable incident last May, Biden responded to a question about serving a potential second term by asking the reporter, “Did you fall on your head or something?” He later announced his decision not to seek re-election on July 21.
Hostage crisis negotiations
The exchange underscores the complex diplomatic efforts surrounding the ongoing hostage crisis in Gaza. During the Oval Office meeting, Herzog emphasized the gravity of the situation:
“In Gaza, we have 101 hostages. Over 400 days, I know, Mr. President, that you are day-in, day-out, actively seeking their safe return home as they are going through hell in the dungeons of Gaza,” Herzog stated.
Shifting diplomatic landscape
The Biden administration’s stance on the hostage negotiations has evolved significantly.
- The administration initially pushed for a deal before the November 5 presidential election
- Biden has alternated between expressing optimism and criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach
- Recently, the administration has placed increased blame on Hamas for failed negotiations
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan recently told CBS News’ “Face the Nation”: “Hamas has said no. What we need to do is get the rest of the world to continue to increase pressure on Hamas to come to the table, to do a deal in Gaza, because the Israeli government has said it’s prepared to take a temporary step in that direction.”
A significant breakthrough came with the elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Rafah, which Biden praised as removing an “insurmountable obstacle” to achieving peace goals.
Herzog concluded his Oval Office remarks by emphasizing both immediate and long-term objectives: “Clearly, you’re thinking and working about the day after as well, which perhaps should be a trajectory of hope to the people of the region and the ability to have our neighbors, as well as us, live in security and peace. But first and foremost, we have to get the hostages back home.”