TL/DR –
The disagreements between the United States and Israel over the situation in Gaza have become publicly visible. In a speech to Democratic donors, President Joe Biden warned that Israel was losing international support for its campaign against Hamas, stated that the current Israeli government was making it hard for Prime Minister Netanyahu to pursue change, and suggested that the Israeli government did not want a two-state solution. On the other hand, Netanyahu disagreed with the U.S. on the post-war plan for Gaza, stating that he would not allow those who support terrorism to enter Gaza and that Gaza would be neither ‘Hamastan’ nor ‘Fatahstan.’
US-Israel Rifts Over Post-War Gaza Plans Publicly Evident
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden warned that Israel’s international support for its campaign against Hamas is dwindling. This came after Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly dismissed American plans for post-war Gaza. This spat, previously behind the scenes, highlights growing differences between these allies amid Gaza’s rising civilian death toll.
Addressing Democratic donors, Biden criticized Israel’s hardline government, suggesting Netanyahu needed a change in approach. Biden noted that Netanyahu’s government, the “most conservative government in Israel’s history,” is making it difficult for him to move. The President added that Israeli government’s support is waning due to heavy Gaza bombardment and their disinterest in a “two-state solution.”
Before Biden’s comments, Netanyahu admitted that he and Biden disagree on post-war Gaza’s fate. The Israeli leader expressed hope for a mutual agreement. This exchange reflects Israel and the United States’ persistent differences, despite being top international allies.
Before Hamas’ October 7 terror attacks and the subsequent war, Biden criticized Netanyahu’s governing coalition, including far-right parties. Despite the mounting criticism of the Israeli campaign, Biden has mostly supported Netanyahu publicly since the conflict began.
Netanyahu, in interviews with international media, has been repeatedly asked for his post-war Gaza vision. He told CNN’s Dana Bash last month that he envisions a role for a “reconstructed” civilian Palestinian authority. However, he clarified that he will not allow Israel to “repeat the mistake of Oslo.”
Biden’s Tuesday remarks, particularly labeling the Israeli government as disinterested in a “two-state solution,” suggest significant differences with Netanyahu. The idea of a Palestinian state coexisting with Israel, took off in the 1990s with the Oslo Accords’ agreements.
The Palestinian Authority (PA), created by the Oslo Accords, was effectively ousted from Gaza by Hamas in 2007. But the Biden administration increasingly believes that the PA should regain governance of the enclave post-war. Netanyahu, however, vowed against allowing the entry into Gaza of those who support terrorism.
Israel began its assault on Gaza after Hamas’ terror attacks, resulting in over 1,200 deaths. Biden asserted Israel’s right and responsibility to defend itself. Nonetheless, Biden encouraged Netanyahu to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza, and administration officials noted a “gap” between Israel’s intentions and ground realities.
Despite their longstanding relationship, Biden noted differences with Netanyahu during the recent conflict. Biden stated that the world’s public opinion could shift overnight, so caution is necessary.
US officials have been urging their Israeli counterparts to plan for post-war Gaza, including keeping the option for a future Palestinian state. The US also warned against Israeli control over Gaza and shrinking the Palestinian territory’s borders.
The US is pressuring Israel to allow humanitarian aid directly into Gaza. Despite allowing aid trucks to be inspected at the Kerem Shalom border crossing for the first time since Hamas’s attack, these trucks must still pass through Egypt before entering Gaza. This doesn’t resolve the bottleneck at the Rafah crossing, where capacity is already strained.
Officials, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan, urged Israeli counterparts to open up the Israel-Gaza crossing before his Thursday meetings in Israel. Israel’s prime minister’s office declined to comment on the US request, despite the escalating humanitarian situation on the ground.
Israel severed all ties with Gaza and cut off all commercial and humanitarian aid traffic since Hamas launched its surprise terrorist attack on October 7.
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