As President Biden criticizes Netanyahu for not doing enough to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, critics argue that the U.S.’s unwavering support for Israel is enabling the far-right government to stall potential deals and prolong the conflict in Gaza.
President Joe Biden has publicly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asserting that the Israeli leader is not doing enough to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Speaking at a White House press conference on Monday, Biden responded with a firm “no” when asked whether Netanyahu was adequately working towards an agreement to free the approximately 100 Israelis and others, including seven Americans, still believed to be alive in Gaza.
Biden’s comments come as his administration claims to be “very close” to presenting a final draft agreement aimed at securing a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of the remaining hostages. However, the president’s remarks have sparked widespread criticism from observers who argue that the Biden administration’s unconditional support for Israel has emboldened Netanyahu’s far-right government, enabling it to stall negotiations and potentially sabotage any progress toward a peaceful resolution.
During the press conference, Biden expressed frustration with Netanyahu’s handling of the hostage situation, particularly following the deaths of six hostages, including 23-year-old American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who were killed in a tunnel in Gaza. Their deaths have ignited massive protests in Israel and beyond, with demonstrators demanding that Netanyahu take more decisive action to free the remaining captives.
The ongoing hostage crisis stems from the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, during which more than 240 people were kidnapped and taken to Gaza. To date, Hamas has released 109 hostages, while Israeli forces have rescued eight others. However, numerous hostages have been killed in various incidents, including Israeli airstrikes and so-called “friendly fire” accidents, raising further questions about the effectiveness and intent behind the military operations.
Biden’s criticism of Netanyahu is particularly significant given the president’s historically strong support for Israel. The Biden administration has provided Israel with billions of dollars in arms shipments and has offered diplomatic cover, including vetoes of United Nations Security Council cease-fire resolutions. Despite this support, Biden’s frustration with Netanyahu’s reluctance to push for a hostage release deal highlights the growing tensions between the two leaders.
Critics of Biden’s approach argue that his unwavering support for Israel is a key factor in Netanyahu’s unwillingness to secure a hostage deal. U.S. journalist Ryan Grim pointed out that “Netanyahu has been citing Biden’s ironclad support of him as the reason he does not have to work harder to get a hostage deal.” This sentiment is echoed by many who believe that Biden’s actions have inadvertently empowered Netanyahu to prolong the conflict and avoid making the difficult concessions necessary for a cease-fire and hostage release.
Jack Mirkinson, senior editor at The Nation, went further, accusing Netanyahu of actively sabotaging a potential deal. “Everyone, including Biden, knows that Netanyahu is actively sabotaging a deal, not simply ‘not doing enough,’” Mirkinson said. He added that Biden “can’t say this because he is helping Netanyahu prolong the war,” suggesting that the president’s public criticism may be more about managing domestic and international perceptions than genuinely pressuring Netanyahu to change course.
These criticisms have been amplified by the broader context of Netanyahu’s political situation. The Israeli prime minister is currently on trial for corruption and faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Many observers believe that Netanyahu is deliberately prolonging the war to delay his potential ouster from office, as the ongoing conflict has shifted focus away from his legal troubles. Biden himself acknowledged earlier this year that “there is every reason for people to draw that conclusion.”
As Biden and Netanyahu’s political maneuvering continues, the situation in Gaza remains dire. On Monday, Israel’s military conducted yet another bombing of a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City, killing at least 11 people, including a woman and a child. This attack is just one example of the relentless bombardment that has devastated Gaza over the past 11 months, resulting in the deaths of at least 40,786 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry and international organizations.
The Israeli military’s actions have drawn accusations of genocide, with numerous legal experts and scholars asserting that the ongoing assault on Gaza constitutes a deliberate attempt to destroy the Palestinian population. Israel is currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the International Criminal Court (ICC) has applied for warrants to arrest Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and several Hamas leaders.
On Monday, the U.K. government announced the suspension of 30 arms export licenses to Israel, a move that, while seen as a positive step, has been criticized as insufficient by many activists and politicians. Zarah Sultana, a Labour Party member of Parliament, stated that “when Israel is carrying out a genocidal assault in Gaza, we shouldn’t just ban a small fraction of arms licenses to Israel. This ban still allows the U.K. to sell parts for F-35 fighter jets, known as ‘the most lethal’ in the world. The government needs to ban ALL arms sales.”
The U.K.’s decision to suspend some arms sales has added pressure on other allies of Israel, including the United States, to take similar actions. However, the Biden administration has so far resisted calls to halt arms shipments to Israel, despite growing demands from human rights organizations and members of Congress.
As pointedly remarked, “Netanyahu has been citing Biden’s ironclad support of him as the reason he does not have to work harder to get a hostage deal,” remarked Ryan Grim.
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