U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., July 25, 2024. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
U.S. President Joe Biden Advocates for Ceasefire in Gaza During Talks with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu
In recent discussions at the White House, U.S. President Joe Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza conflict. This marked the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since Biden’s visit to Israel shortly after the October 7 Hamas attack. During that visit, Biden embraced Netanyahu and reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby acknowledged that while there are still gaps between Israel and Hamas regarding the ceasefire, progress has been made. “We are closer now than we’ve been before,” Kirby stated, emphasizing the necessity for both sides to make compromises.
American Political Shifts and Support for Ceasefire
State Department spokesperson Matt Miller highlighted the urgency from the American side to finalize a ceasefire deal. This visit coincides with a significant shift in American politics: President Biden recently announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.
During their meeting, Biden expressed his gratitude to Netanyahu for his long-standing support for Israel, while Netanyahu commended Biden for his five decades of public service. Later in the day, Harris was scheduled to meet with Netanyahu, a meeting closely monitored for any potential shifts in U.S. policy towards Israel under her possible future presidency. Harris has previously been the first senior U.S. official to call for a ceasefire, indicating a possible tougher stance on the conflict.
Hostage Crisis and Biden-Netanyahu Relations
Biden and Netanyahu also planned to meet with the families of American hostages held by Hamas. The relations between the two leaders have been strained over the past months due to the high civilian toll of Israel’s Gaza offensive, which Gaza health officials report has resulted in over 39,000 deaths. The U.S. remains a crucial arms supplier to Israel and has consistently defended it in critical United Nations votes.
Netanyahu’s visit to Washington comes shortly after Biden’s announcement of not seeking reelection. The influence that Biden, now a “lame duck” president, or Harris can exert on Netanyahu remains uncertain. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet former President Donald Trump in Florida following his U.S. visit.
Ceasefire Negotiations and Political Implications
Negotiations for a ceasefire-for-hostages deal appear to be in their final stages. A senior U.S. official indicated that the remaining obstacles are manageable and that further meetings are planned to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas. Historically, similar ceasefire pledges have failed due to last-minute disagreements.
On the eve of the Biden-Netanyahu talks, Netanyahu delivered a speech to the U.S. Congress defending Israel’s military actions in Gaza and condemning anti-Israel protests. The Gaza conflict has caused significant divisions within the Democratic Party and sparked protests at Biden’s events. Declining support among Arab-Americans poses a potential challenge for Democratic success in key states like Michigan in the upcoming election.
Biden’s decision to step aside for the 2024 race was driven by his desire to maintain party unity to defeat Trump, as he emphasized in an Oval Office address. Harris’s potential presidency and her tougher stance on the Gaza conflict could signal a shift in U.S. policy towards the region.
COMMENTS