Devendra Kumar
US President Joe Biden has issued a stern warning to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, effectively giving him an ultimatum to protect Palestinian civilians and foreign aid workers in Gaza or face consequences. The warning follows a recent Israeli attack that killed seven humanitarian workers from the World Central Kitchen aid group, sparking global outrage. Biden’s message marks a significant shift in his approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has long been a delicate issue for the US president.
As Biden prepares for re-election in November, he has come under pressure from progressive Democrats to rein in Netanyahu’s government over its treatment of Palestinians. However, he also risks alienating mostly pro-Israel independent voters. The war in Gaza has claimed the lives of over 33,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in Gaza, and has displaced most of the territory’s 2.3 million people.
In a recent phone call, Biden told Netanyahu to announce and implement specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers in Gaza. Analysts suggest these steps may include increasing aid flows to Gaza and imposing conditions on US arms transfers to Israel. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was more blunt, stating that if the necessary changes are not seen, there will be changes in US policy.
The Israeli government has responded by announcing several steps to increase aid flows to Gaza, including opening the Ashdod port and the Erez crossing into northern Gaza and increasing aid deliveries from Jordan. However, it remains unclear whether these steps will be sufficient to meet the US demands. The Israeli government has also admitted that the recent attack on the aid workers was a mistake.
Biden’s move marks a turning point in the relationship between the US president and Netanyahu, which had previously been characterized as close and supportive. Analysts suggest that Biden may have reached his limit in terms of tolerating Israel’s actions in Gaza and may be willing to take more drastic action if the situation does not improve. However, it is unlikely that the US would completely cut off its support for Israel or abandon it at the United Nations, preferring instead to impose conditions on smaller military items and take further measures against extremist Jewish settlers involved in attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
The US move also raises questions about the future of US aid to Israel, which has been a significant partner in the region. The US has provided Israel with billions of dollars in military aid each year, and any reduction in this aid could have significant implications for the Israeli military and economy. The situation is delicate, as Biden must balance his commitment to re-election with his duty to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and promote peace in the region.