Biden implies Netanyahu prolonging Gaza conflict for political reasons

President Joe Biden indicated in an interview released on Tuesday that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, might be prolonging the conflict in Gaza to maintain his position in power. Biden also expressed uncertainty about whether Israel had engaged in war crimes during the conflict.

When asked if he believed Netanyahu was extending the war for political reasons, Biden stated, "There is every reason for people to draw that conclusion." This reflects a common belief in Washington and other capitals that Netanyahu is using the conflict as a shield against political repercussions.

Before the war started, Biden mentioned that Netanyahu was facing criticism from the Israeli military for wanting to alter the court system. This was seen as a domestic issue with little impact. He also noted that Netanyahu's proposed judicial changes had caused protests before the recent terror attacks by Hamas on October 7, which led to the current conflict.

Biden added that it was unclear if Netanyahu would stick to his stance on the issue, but he emphasized that it was not beneficial.

Last week, the president shared his thoughts while getting ready to give a speech about an Israeli plan to stop the war and free hostages. The goal of the speech was to push Hamas and Israel to end the war. However, instead of doing that, it ended up making Netanyahu feel pressured as the conflict in Gaza continues. Netanyahu hasn't supported the plan publicly yet, even though it's from Israel. Some members of his far-right government have even said they might leave if the plan is accepted.

The president decided to provide a detailed explanation of Israel's plan, showing his increasing frustration with the stalled negotiations for hostage release.

Biden mentioned that Netanyahu, also known as Bibi, is feeling a lot of pressure regarding the hostages and is willing to do whatever it takes to bring them back.

Relations between Biden and Netanyahu have become strained as the war continues. The US is unhappy with some of Israel's war tactics, feeling that they do not do enough to protect civilians.

In an interview, Biden mentioned that it is unclear whether Israel's actions amount to war crimes. This claim was made by the International Criminal Court when it issued arrest warrants for certain Israeli leaders.

Biden stated that Israel had engaged in "inappropriate activity." When asked about war crimes in Gaza, Biden mentioned that the situation is uncertain and being investigated by Israelis themselves. He also highlighted the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza due to lack of basic necessities like food, water, and medicine. Biden pointed out that innocent people have been killed, attributing the situation to actions by both Israelis and Hamas. He emphasized that Hamas is also contributing to the challenges faced by the population in Israel.

Inside the White House, many believe that Netanyahu's reluctance to stop the war reflects his unstable political situation.

This situation could worsen when investigations into possible missed warnings before the October 7 attacks start. During the interview, Biden chose not to directly accuse Netanyahu of any security lapses.

"I can't imagine how one person can bear that much responsibility. As the leader of the country, it ultimately falls on him. However, he wasn't the only one who failed to address the issue," Biden remarked.

He went on to explain that his main disagreement with the Israeli leader was his reluctance to start preparing for the aftermath of the war in Gaza and his opposition to the idea of a future Palestinian state.

"My main issue with Netanyahu is what comes next, what happens after the situation in Gaza is resolved? What will be the next steps?" He mentioned later on, "There must be a move towards a two-state solution. This is where I differ the most from Bibi Netanyahu."

This report includes contributions from CNN's Donald Judd.

Editor's P/S:

President Biden's comments cast a shadow over the already tense relationship between the US and Israel. His suggestion that Netanyahu may be prolonging the conflict for political gain adds to the growing concerns about the Israeli Prime Minister's motives. The lack of clarity regarding potential war crimes committed by Israel further complicates the situation, as does the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The article highlights the widening rift between Biden and Netanyahu, with the US expressing dissatisfaction over Israel's tactics and Netanyahu's reluctance to engage in peace negotiations. The political instability within Israel, with Netanyahu facing criticism and potential investigations, further exacerbates the situation. The article also raises questions about the future of the conflict and the prospects for a two-state solution, as Biden emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the underlying issues.