Biden and Netanyahu reconnect after a month as tensions rise

President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone on Monday, marking their first known interaction in over a month. The call comes amid a growing divide between the two leaders regarding the conflict in Gaza.

According to the White House, the conversation focused on two main areas of tension in their relationship. These included the urgent need to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza and the upcoming Israeli operation in Rafah, where over a million Palestinian civilians are seeking shelter.

On Monday, Biden made a phone call following Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's suggestion for new Israeli elections to remove Netanyahu from power. Biden thought Schumer's speech was good and understood the concerns of many Americans, but he did not directly support or oppose the idea of new elections in Israel.

Netanyahu responded to Schumer's speech during an interview with CNN's Dana Bash on Sunday. He expressed his disagreement with the idea of interfering in another country's democratic process. Netanyahu emphasized that the Israeli public has the right to choose their own leaders without outside influence. He also asserted that Israel is not a weak or unstable nation, referring to it as a "banana republic."

The relationship between Biden and Netanyahu has worsened in recent months as the White House grows increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu's disregard for US advice on the Gaza conflict.

Initially, Biden and Netanyahu were in regular communication during the early stages of the conflict. However, their communication has decreased significantly since then. The last time they spoke was on February 15, marking the longest gap in calls since the conflict began on October 7.

Tensions have arisen regarding the entry of more humanitarian aid into the strip, measures to safeguard civilian lives, and the prospects for a future Palestinian state.

The White House emphasized that any action in Rafah should not proceed unless there is a reliable strategy in place to ensure the safety of the civilians seeking refuge there. However, officials stated that as of Sunday, no such plan had been presented to them.

Biden mentioned in a recent interview that a potential invasion of Rafah would be a "red line" for him. He did not specify how he would react to such a situation but assured that he would not completely withdraw support for Israel.

Editor's P/S:

The strained relationship between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu has further deteriorated due to the conflict in Gaza. Biden's frustration with Netanyahu's disregard for US advice has led to a significant decrease in communication between the two leaders. The upcoming Israeli operation in Rafah, where over a million Palestinian civilians are seeking shelter, has become a major point of contention. Biden has warned that any action in Rafah must be accompanied by a reliable strategy to ensure civilian safety, a plan that has not yet been presented to the White House.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains a pressing concern, with the White House emphasizing the need to increase humanitarian aid. However, tensions have also arisen regarding measures to safeguard civilian lives and the prospects for a future Palestinian state. The lack of a clear strategy for the Rafah operation and the potential for further civilian casualties have raised alarm bells in Washington. It remains to be seen how Biden will respond if Netanyahu proceeds with the operation without addressing these concerns, potentially crossing the "red line" Biden has established. two leaders underscores the need for urgent diplomatic efforts to bridge the divide and find a peaceful resolution to the Gaza conflict.