President Biden has declared himself to be a Zionist — the first president, I believe, to express his support in this way for a permanent homeland for the Jewish people. His unwavering backing at the beginning of the Israel-Gaza war endeared him to the Israeli people. But, as a true friend of Israel, Biden knows that the Israel-U.S. relationship largely depends on democratic, shared values. Accordingly, he became increasingly critical as civilian casualties mounted and Israel failed to deliver sufficient humanitarian relief and protection for aid workers.
Israel cannot endure as a pariah on the world stage. Its long-term interests require it to prevent mass starvation in Gaza and minimize further civilian casualties. In the aftermath of the World Central Kitchen deaths, Biden’s implicit threat to withdraw support if Israel did not adjust its conduct paid dividends. Israel increased aid delivery and instituted deconfliction procedures.
These steps, in the long run, benefit Israel. Middle East veteran negotiator Dennis Ross explained on X: “Israel must be serious about permitting humanitarian assistance and ensuring the security of delivery. This is not just morally right; it is in Israel’s strategic interest to gain the time needed to dismantle Hamas militarily.”
When Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel in an unprecedented onslaught, Biden maintained his solid support for Israel. The United States (plus Jordan and Saudi Arabia, in a head-snapping display of Israel’s support within the Sunni Arab states) provided military and intelligence assistance. Biden then followed up with a show of unwavering support from the Group of Seven.
But once again, Biden’s job as commander in chief and steward of the Israel-U.S. relationship does not include unconditionally cheerleading for the Israeli prime minister infamous for pursuing rash measures to satisfy his extremist coalition partners. Biden, therefore, mixed praise for Israel’s defensive success with a reminder of the dangers of a regional war. The Times of Israel reported that Biden “made clear publicly and privately in his call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he does not want to see a regional conflict.” White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Biden was “certainly not looking for a war with Iran” and that he himself was “confident that Prime Minister Netanyahu is aware of the president’s concerns.”
Contrary to some right-wing commentators’ complaints, Biden has not asked Israel to do nothing. He is urging Israel to select a response that does not set off a larger conflagration. The difference between knocking down Tehran’s power grid for a day and pummeling the city with missiles, for example, may be the difference between Israel gaining points with the international community and Israel starting a regional war.
Foreign policy expert Aaron David Miller puts it this way on X: “Israel scored a huge tactical security/political success in defending against Iranian missiles and partnering [with] US and Sunnis. [The] question now is how to turn that into a strategic opportunity [without] courting regional war. No Israeli government can accept Iran’s strike as new normal.”
Just as Biden’s warning seems to have prevented a civilian tragedy in Rafah, his latest admonition to calibrate Israel’s response appears to be working. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the Israel Defense Forces to provide a target list, according to an official familiar with high-level discussions, who said Israel is mulling retaliation that would ‘send a message’ but not cause casualties,” The Post reported.
Shortsighted defenders of Israel bristle at any sign that Biden is urging Netanyahu to show restraint. That’s foolish and contrary to the interests of the Israeli people who are demanding that Netanyahu prioritize the hostages’ release. Vicious anti-Israel critics who mouth Hamas’s chants (e.g., “From the river to the sea!”) and glorify violence want Biden to abandon our historical ally. Biden will take neither approach. Rather, his delicate intervention helps Israel maximize its own security without alienating critical Western allies.
Less informed critics accuse Biden of inconsistency. They have it backward. He remains a true friend of Israel, the sort of friend who cautions against rash action that would boomerang; who demands that Israel look beyond the moment to its long-term survival; and who, in his bones, understands the Israeli people want both democracy and security.
Both countries should be grateful that a seasoned president is in the Oval Office.
Israel cannot endure as a pariah on the world stage. Its long-term interests require it to prevent mass starvation in Gaza and minimize further civilian casualties. In the aftermath of the World Central Kitchen deaths, Biden’s implicit threat to withdraw support if Israel did not adjust its conduct paid dividends. Israel increased aid delivery and instituted deconfliction procedures.
These steps, in the long run, benefit Israel. Middle East veteran negotiator Dennis Ross explained on X: “Israel must be serious about permitting humanitarian assistance and ensuring the security of delivery. This is not just morally right; it is in Israel’s strategic interest to gain the time needed to dismantle Hamas militarily.”
When Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel in an unprecedented onslaught, Biden maintained his solid support for Israel. The United States (plus Jordan and Saudi Arabia, in a head-snapping display of Israel’s support within the Sunni Arab states) provided military and intelligence assistance. Biden then followed up with a show of unwavering support from the Group of Seven.
But once again, Biden’s job as commander in chief and steward of the Israel-U.S. relationship does not include unconditionally cheerleading for the Israeli prime minister infamous for pursuing rash measures to satisfy his extremist coalition partners. Biden, therefore, mixed praise for Israel’s defensive success with a reminder of the dangers of a regional war. The Times of Israel reported that Biden “made clear publicly and privately in his call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he does not want to see a regional conflict.” White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Biden was “certainly not looking for a war with Iran” and that he himself was “confident that Prime Minister Netanyahu is aware of the president’s concerns.”
Contrary to some right-wing commentators’ complaints, Biden has not asked Israel to do nothing. He is urging Israel to select a response that does not set off a larger conflagration. The difference between knocking down Tehran’s power grid for a day and pummeling the city with missiles, for example, may be the difference between Israel gaining points with the international community and Israel starting a regional war.
Foreign policy expert Aaron David Miller puts it this way on X: “Israel scored a huge tactical security/political success in defending against Iranian missiles and partnering [with] US and Sunnis. [The] question now is how to turn that into a strategic opportunity [without] courting regional war. No Israeli government can accept Iran’s strike as new normal.”
Just as Biden’s warning seems to have prevented a civilian tragedy in Rafah, his latest admonition to calibrate Israel’s response appears to be working. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the Israel Defense Forces to provide a target list, according to an official familiar with high-level discussions, who said Israel is mulling retaliation that would ‘send a message’ but not cause casualties,” The Post reported.
Shortsighted defenders of Israel bristle at any sign that Biden is urging Netanyahu to show restraint. That’s foolish and contrary to the interests of the Israeli people who are demanding that Netanyahu prioritize the hostages’ release. Vicious anti-Israel critics who mouth Hamas’s chants (e.g., “From the river to the sea!”) and glorify violence want Biden to abandon our historical ally. Biden will take neither approach. Rather, his delicate intervention helps Israel maximize its own security without alienating critical Western allies.
Less informed critics accuse Biden of inconsistency. They have it backward. He remains a true friend of Israel, the sort of friend who cautions against rash action that would boomerang; who demands that Israel look beyond the moment to its long-term survival; and who, in his bones, understands the Israeli people want both democracy and security.
Both countries should be grateful that a seasoned president is in the Oval Office.
