US president Joe Biden on Monday sought to reassure Jewish voters that he stands firmly on Israel’s side, calling for the complete defeat of Hamas and condemning the International Criminal Court’s assertion that Israeli leaders are guilty of war crimes in the Gaza campaign, POLITICO reports.
Biden said during a speech in the Rose Garden:
“What’s happening is not genocide. We reject that.”
Pledging to continue working “around the clock” to free the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas, the president avoided criticising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to launch a larger invasion of Rafah, emphasising instead his continued support for Israel. Biden also added:
“I will always ensure Israel has everything it needs to defend itself against Hamas and all their enemies. We stand with Israel to take out [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar and the rest of the butchers of Hamas. We want Hamas defeated; we will work with Israel to make that happen.”
The speech in honour of Jewish Heritage Month marked a clear attempt to mend the increasingly strained relationship between the president and the Jewish community. For months, the president has tried to navigate the complex domestic politics of the war between Israel and Hamas, offending progressives with his staunch support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then angering pro-Israel Democrats by refusing to deliver heavy bombs that he believes will only exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
This latest decision, which coincided with invitations to Monday’s meeting, created an unfavourable backdrop for the event, with Jewish Democrat leaders, donors and strategists expressing disappointment that Biden chose to announce his threat to withdraw specific aid from Israel less than a day after his Holocaust remembrance speech, when he declared his unwavering support for the country and condemned a “ferocious upsurge” in anti-Semitism.
US president fights back against criticism
Biden and his team have sought to parry the criticism by noting that he still allows arms shipments to Israel, just not the 2,000-pound bombs that would prove highly destructive if Israeli forces launch a large-scale invasion of the southern Gaza town of Rafah. Biden made the same point on Monday, noting that he would continue to support Israel in its “defence” against Hamas. White House officials also noted that Biden has repeatedly reaffirmed the US-Israeli alliance amid opposition to the Rafah incursion. His administration recently informed Congress that it was making another major arms sale to Israel.
But Democrats said they find the administration’s reports of the arms sales confusing. And other party members say the president is facing tremendous pressure from young voters and progressives to do more to get Israel to agree to a permanent cease-fire with Hamas. They believe Biden is in a difficult, perhaps impossible position.
