No one should underestimate the impact of this decision. The Associated Press reported that “Democratic senators on Friday announced a plan for Biden aimed at bringing breadth, oversight, deadlines and brakes to efforts to prevent foreign governments from using U.S. military aid against civilians.” “His instructions are historic,” he said.
Indeed, this was a victory for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, who immediately praised the move. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who along with Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has been vigorously urging the administration to take action, called it a “major change.” Biden’s decision ensured unanimous support from Democrats to advance the Ukraine-Israel aid bill on Sunday.
But unlike the call to single out Israel, Biden’s directive applies equally to all countries receiving aid. Biden clearly wants no part of the insidious double standards that some want to apply to Israel. The White House argued that the executive order merely ratified existing U.S. policy. However, its symbolic value is profound. Biden focuses on supporting Israel in its existential war with Hamas, the plight of Palestinian civilians and the two-state solution, as his fervent support for Israel’s right to self-defense has drawn criticism from Hamas defenders. It’s a difficult balance between hitting the mark.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, better known as AIPAC, has breathlessly criticized the move to guarantee human rights obligations to all countries, highlighting how far pro-Israel groups have strayed from the views of America and American Jews. It tells the story of Iruka. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he can act with impunity. do not have It is shared by most Americans and even many Israelis who have bitterly protested his handling of the war.
Meanwhile, left-leaning J Street applauded the decision. “J Street has long called for increased oversight and accountability for the weapons and supplies the United States provides to other countries, including Israel. It should not be offered in the form of,” J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami told Jewish Insider. “This memorandum also affirms the United States’ commitment to ensuring that our partners and allies do not restrict or impede the delivery or delivery of humanitarian assistance.”
Mr. Biden also pushed for intense one-on-one diplomacy. After saying on Thursday night that Israel had gone “too far” in Gaza, Mr. Biden had a 45-minute meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, an unusual length by most diplomatic standards. (It was even longer considering we didn’t have to spend time translating with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is fluent in English). A White House statement said Biden had ordered Israel to take steps to protect civilians before launching a widely criticized military plan against Rafah that could result in more civilian casualties. He insisted on making “trustworthy” arrangements. He also renewed pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu to increase humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.
Biden’s months-long patient approach to Netanyahu has gradually turned into a private and public pressure campaign. A Biden official told the Post that the leaders had “a very detailed conversation about this.” The official reiterated that “the United States will not support such an operation unless Israel has a plan to protect and feed civilians.”
Thanks to the intervention and persistence of CIA Director William J. Burns, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Middle East Envoy Brett McGuirk, and other Biden administration officials, a ceasefire agreement remains a possibility. If a ceasefire (partial or final) works, and hopefully the remaining hostages can be rescued quickly, that would make Biden the most supportive of Israel and the most effective president to deliver “tough love.” Probably because it was so successful. Both are essential to the U.S.-Israel relationship and ultimately to Israel’s survival.
Despite criticism from the domestic right and left over the Hamas war, Biden maintains continued influence over Israel and is on good terms with the Israeli public and the opposition government that will follow the eventual ouster of Prime Minister Netanyahu. Looks like you’ve found the perfect place to keep it. Foreign policy experience is certainly beneficial.