I don’t know whether Netanyahu is trying to influence the US election or not
President Joe Biden said he did not know whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would delay agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza to influence next month’s US election.
In his first appearance at a White House press conference since becoming president, Biden told reporters: “I don’t know if he’s trying to influence the election — but I don’t believe in that.”
He then sent brief words to his longtime ally: “No administration has helped Israel more than mine. No, no, no,” he said. “And I thought [Netanyahu] should remember that.”
Some Democrats have voiced concerns that Netanyahu is ignoring the US president’s calls to negotiate a ceasefire and release hostages to hurt the party’s chances in November.
Earlier this week, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy told CNN: “I don’t think you have to be a hopeless cynic to read some of Israel’s actions, some of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s actions, as concerning to the US election”.
Polls show escalating violence in the Middle East and failure to reach a diplomatic agreement are hurting Biden and his Democratic replacement, Kamala Harris.
The president’s approval ratings among Arab Americans have plummeted over the past year, largely due to anger at America’s support for Israel’s military campaign, which could be damaging. party prospects in November.
Biden has been pushing for a diplomatic agreement between Israel and Hamas for months and has repeatedly indicated that it has been reached. A deal before the election would be a major boost for the president and Democrats but appears increasingly unlikely.
While the Biden administration criticized Hamas for failing to reach a deal, the president also expressed growing public frustration with Netanyahu, who he recently said not enough was done to reach a deal.
Some US officials reportedly assessed that Netanyahu did not believe a diplomatic deal would benefit him politically because members of his coalition would oppose it.
“Hamas is not there with a deal,” Israel’s prime minister said earlier this month just hours after a US official said the deal was 90% complete. Unfortunately, no deal is in the works.”
The increasingly fractious relationship between Biden and Netanyahu, who have known each other for decades, contrasts with the friendly relationship the Israeli leader has with former president Donald Trump, the Party’s current nominee Republic.
Meanwhile, Israel has continued its assault on Gaza and stepped up its ground offensive into southern Lebanon. They also announced they would respond to Iran’s ballistic missile attack this week.
When he appeared at Friday’s news conference, shocking reporters in the room, Biden responded to concerns that Israel could attack Iranian oil fields in retaliation.
“The Israelis have not concluded what they will do in terms of attack,” he said. “If I were in their situation, I would think of other alternatives other than attacking the oil fields.”
Biden caused oil prices to rise on Thursday when he said America is in discussions with Israel the ability to attack Iran’s oil infrastructure.
