That decision, perhaps more than any other, would come to define Mr. Biden’s approach to what has become the most divisive foreign policy crisis of his presidency. He had to go. He had to see them face to face. With that, he effectively took ownership of the war that would follow in all its overpowering brutality, managing it personally at great political risk to himself at home and abroad.
It’s frustrating how the NYT is biased in favor of Biden and Israel.
But there is no serious discussion inside the administration of a meaningful change in policy, like cutting off the arms supply to Israel. Instead, Mr. Biden remains determined to navigate the crisis within the crisis by using the credibility he earned through steadfast support of Israel to shape its next chapter, although it is unclear how much leverage that gives him.
What credibility? A CBS poll of Democrats in December shows 38% say Biden is showing too much support for Israel, up from 28%. Also 26% want Biden to support pro Palestine protests in US.
What a frustrating read. The author wants everyone to know how hard Biden is working to help Israel and how badly they need him. But Netanyahu is pushing back against Biden.
As for Mr. Biden’s team, the real debate is about the language to use and how hard to push, but no one inside is really pressing for a dramatic policy shift like suspending weapons supplies to Israel — if for no other reason than they understand the president is not willing to do so.
For all the disagreement, there is no serious discussion within the Biden administration about cutting Israel off or putting conditions on security aid. On Friday, three days after the Dermer meeting, the State Department agreed to send $147.5 million in 155-millimeter artillery shells and related equipment, invoking emergency rules to bypass congressional review a second time and again angering Democratic lawmakers.
All this talk of considerations for Palestinian civilians is for show. Imagine if the US only criticized other terrorists with words but did nothing to stop them and even handed them weapons.