President Joe Biden is insisting there is “every reason” to believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to prolong the war against Hamas for his political benefit.
Speaking to Time, the issue of Israel’s war against Hamas came up.
The president was asked, “Some in Israel have suggested that Netanyahu is prolonging the war for his own political self-preservation. Do you believe that?”
“I’m not going to comment on that,” Biden initially answered.
However, he went on to suggested there is reason for people to believe that is the case:
“There is every reason for people to draw that conclusion. And I would cite that as—before the war began, the blowback he was getting from the Israeli military for wanting to change the constitu—change the court. And so it’s an internal domestic debate that seems to have no consequence. And whether he would change his position or not, it’s hard to say, but it has not been helpful.”
The exchange comes as Israel’s war against Hamas, following its Oct. 7 massacre that left at least 1,200 people dead, has gone on for roughly eight months.
While Hamas has rejected several ceasefire proposal — insisting on a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza — Israel is facing international pressure to end its war.
Last month, the United Nations’ top court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to stop its military operations in Rafah.
Despite the order, Israeli forces have continued their operations and insisted they have “not and will not” take actions that will lead to the destruction of the Palestinian population in Rafah. Israeli officials have insisted they would not be able to achieve their goal in the war without taking control of Rafah.
Biden last week put pressure on Israel to end the war. In remarks on Friday, he insisted Hamas would not be able to carry out an attack similar to the Oct. 7 massacre again, and urged both sides to accept a ceasefire proposal he claimed was made by Israel.
While Biden stated the proposal was made by Israel, Netanyahu’s office later said negotiators could not agree to a ceasefire until Israel had accomplished its goals in Gaza — which it said included the destruction of Hamas’ military and governing capabilities.
Last month, Netanyahu said ending the war now would let Hamas stay in power in Gaza.
Still, there has been speculation the prime minister is seeking to prolong the war to stay in power. Politico notes, “The far-right leaders of his coalition government say they will depart if the prime minister backs the cease-fire deal Israel proposed and Biden touted Friday, which would see fighting stop for at least six weeks and potentially lead to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. That would collapse the government and likely end Netanyahu’s premiership, as current polls show war cabinet member Benny Gantz with more support.”
“A corruption trial for Netanyahu, which began in January 2020, resumed two months after Hamas’ attack. He faces charges in three separate cases: one related to receiving gifts from foreign business leaders, a second on seeking favorable coverage from a newspaper in exchange for curbing a rival outlet’s circulation, and a third alleging bribery and fraud,” it added.
