By Matt Spetalnick, Jeff Mason, Steve Holland, and Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – During his visit to Israel, Joe Biden, the U.S. president, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet, where he assured them that being a Zionist is not exclusive to being Jewish, stating, “I don’t believe you have to be a Jew to be a Zionist, and I am a Zionist.”
The U.S. president’s remarks were well-received by the politicians and generals in attendance at the Tel Aviv hotel, even as Israel was carrying out airstrikes in response to a devastating attack by Palestinian Hamas militants, with a ground invasion on the horizon.
This moment, previously unreported, highlights how Biden’s long-standing support for Israel is influencing his actions during a defining crisis of his presidency.
However, it also presents challenges as Biden tries to balance unwavering support for Israel with urging Netanyahu to prevent further civilian casualties and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“Biden’s connection to Israel is deeply ingrained in his political DNA,” said Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East negotiator who served under six secretaries of state. “Whether he likes it or not, he’s in the midst of a crisis he’ll have to manage.”
In interviews with current and former aides, lawmakers, and analysts, Reuters found that some believe Biden’s alignment with Netanyahu could provide leverage for the U.S. to influence Israel’s approach to the conflict.
The private session between the two leaders on Wednesday reportedly did not display any notable tensions, according to a U.S. official familiar with the talks.
However, Biden did raise challenging questions to Netanyahu about the offensive, including what the plan was for the day after the attack, as doubts remain about Israel’s endgame in its vow to destroy Hamas.
Biden’s close ties with the right-wing leader risk alienating progressives in his Democratic Party as he approaches his re-election campaign in 2024, especially with the growing international criticism of Israel’s actions.
Furthermore, many Palestinians and others in the Arab world perceive Biden as biased towards Israel, compromising his ability to act as an impartial peace negotiator.
FORGED OVER DECADES
Biden’s support for Israel can be partially attributed to his father, who staunchly believed in the establishment of Israel as a Jewish homeland following World War Two and the Nazi Holocaust.
Biden’s awareness of the historical persecution of Jews and the rise in antisemitic incidents in the U.S. also contributes to his deep concern over the recent Hamas attacks on Israel.
Throughout his political career, Biden solidified his policy positions on Israel, combining unwavering support for Israel’s security with a push for Palestinian statehood, a trajectory that began during his time in the U.S. Senate.
During a meeting with Prime Minister Golda Meir in 1973, Meir told Biden that Israel had no other place to turn, leaving a lasting impression on the young lawmaker on the brink of the Yom Kippur War.
As a senator, Biden set a historic record as the recipient of the largest donations from pro-Israel groups, amounting to $4.2 million, according to the Open Secrets database.
As vice president, Biden played a crucial role in mediating between President Obama and Netanyahu, often acting as a bridge during tense moments.
Dennis Ross, a former Middle East adviser, praised Biden’s commitment to Israel, stating, “His commitment to Israel was that strong … And it’s the instinct we’re seeing now.”
Recently, however, tension between Biden and Netanyahu has emerged due to disagreements over Netanyahu’s plan to limit the powers of the Israeli Supreme Court.
PROGRESSIVE DISSENT
Their current alliance could be strained further if Israel initiates a ground offensive.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham expressed confidence in the ability of Biden and Netanyahu to work together but also emphasized the need for Biden to set clear boundaries to prevent Iran from getting involved in the conflict.
Biden has issued warnings to Iran, but the consequences of their involvement have yet to be outlined.
In the Hamas attack on Israeli towns, 1,400 individuals were killed, and around 200 hostages were taken, including Americans. Gaza has since been under Israeli siege, resulting in the deaths of at least 4,385 Palestinians, according to Gaza officials.
Biden faces opposition from progressive factions within his own party, who advocate for Israeli restraint and a ceasefire.
Representative Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, voiced her dissent, stating, “President Biden, not all America is with you on this one, and you need to wake up and understand. We are literally watching people commit genocide.”
Despite the criticism, experts suggest that Biden could gain support from independent voters who share his affinity for Israel.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed increased U.S. public sympathy for Israel, with Republican support at 54% compared to 37% of Democrats. Younger Americans displayed less support for Israel compared to older Americans.
Biden, who faces low approval ratings, is also likely to be cautious about challenging AIPAC, the main pro-Israel lobby in the U.S., known for its influence in elections.
However, the crisis has also resulted in criticism directed at Biden for not giving enough attention to the Palestinians, whose hopes for statehood have diminished under Israeli occupation.
U.S. officials have stated that the time is not right to resume Israeli-Palestinian negotiations due to the intransigence of both sides.
“The administration’s neglect of the issue is a key factor in where we are today,” said Khaled Elgindy, a former Palestinian negotiations adviser.
Elgindy believes that Biden’s support for Israel’s assault on Gaza has damaged the credibility of the U.S., stating that it has “shattered, perhaps irreversibly, what little credibility the U.S. had left.”
(Reporting by Matt Spetalnick, Jeff Mason, Steve Holland, and Patricia Zengerle; Writing by Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Suzanne Goldenberg)
