According to a report from Politico, US President Joe Biden has expressed deep suspicion of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in private conversations, allegedly referring to him as a "bad fucking guy." However, the White House has vehemently denied these claims. Biden's spokesperson, Andrew Bates, emphasized that the President did not make such remarks and affirmed the longstanding respectful relationship between the two leaders.
Impact on US Support for Israel
The reported tension between Biden and Netanyahu comes amid concerns about the US's support for Israel, particularly in the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Politico suggests that Biden's backing of Israel in the conflict may cost him support among young liberal voters in the upcoming 2024 election. There are fears that Netanyahu's actions could drag the US into a broader conflict in the Middle East, possibly driven by a desire for continued American military aid and financial support.
Biden's Address on Hate Crimes
In a separate development, President Biden addressed hate crimes and discrimination against Arab Americans during a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast. He expressed solidarity with those affected by violence and displacement in the Middle East and condemned hate crimes targeting Arab Americans.
US Military Actions in the Middle East
The Biden administration has pledged to take more aggressive action against Iran and its proxies in the Middle East, following a series of recent airstrikes. These strikes were prompted by the deaths of three US soldiers in a drone strike in Jordan. US forces have targeted various locations in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen in recent days, aiming to degrade the capabilities of armed groups in the region.
Response from US Officials
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has stated that the US will respond forcefully to threats in the region but emphasized that Biden does not view these actions as the start of an open-ended military campaign. US officials have described the airstrikes as effective in weakening the targeted groups without escalating the conflict further.
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