President Joe Biden appeared to endorse Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) call for new Israeli elections, which included criticism of the country’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Biden’s comments come amid tensions between Washington and Jerusalem over the planned attack on the last major stronghold of the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.
Schumer accused the prime minister of having “lost his way” and said that Israel ran the risk of becoming a “pariah” amid the ongoing military operations. When asked about it Friday, Biden said that Schumer “made a good speech.”
“I think he expressed serious concerns shared not only by him but by many Americans.”
Biden appeared to echo Schumer’s call this week for there to be elections that could replace Netanyahu during a meeting with the leader of Ireland.
Biden praises Sen. Chuck Schumer's anti-Netanyahu speech: "He made a good speech."
His handlers then promptly and aggressively herd the press out of the room. pic.twitter.com/qMPzj9kVYw
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) March 15, 2024
Israel is preparing its operation against Rafah, Hamas’ last stronghold in Gaza. Netanyahu said this week that he signed off on the attack. It is unclear when the operation will commence, but it could be as soon as today.
The operation against Rafah comes as Israel made major progress in its conflict against Hamas since the group launched the Oct. 7 terrorist attack which killed 1,200 people.
Netanyahu has previously said that there would be no stopping the attack on Rafah, even if there was a temporary ceasefire.
The prime minister said that he would commence the attack despite Biden’s statement that such an operation would be a “red line.”
Biden also announced a plan to build a temporary port in Gaza to aid sending in humanitarian aid. The plan would utilize U.S. military ships and personnel to complete the project.
The president is under pressure from Muslim and Arab American groups which accused him of being too supportive of Israel. Biden’s approval rating among the demographic groups has declined, which could have significant consequences on the November election. Any change in voting patterns could jeopardize Biden’s campaign in Michigan, a state which may decide the election.
