Image Credits: Asia Times
President Joe Biden’s recent comments criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for allegedly failing to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas have sparked significant controversy. On Monday, Biden’s blunt response, “no,” when asked whether Netanyahu was doing enough to free the hostages, has been met with fierce criticism from various quarters.
Biden’s remarks came as he and Vice President Kamala Harris met with a negotiating team in the Situation Room, following the murder of 23-year-old Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages by Hamas militants on Saturday. Netanyahu, facing backlash, vehemently denied accusations of inadequacy in handling the hostage situation. He emphasized that while his administration had been working diligently, the tragic outcome was not due to any misstep on his part.
The situation is further complicated by Netanyahu’s strategic decision to retain Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) presence along the Philadelphi Corridor, a key area for monitoring arms smuggling into Gaza. Netanyahu contends that Hamas’s refusal to negotiate has hampered efforts to resolve the crisis.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended Biden, asserting that the president’s comments were not an indication of a lack of condemnation toward Hamas but rather a direct response to a specific question. She reiterated that the administration’s stance on Hamas has been unequivocal, emphasizing their responsibility for the hostages’ deaths.
Caroline Glick, a former advisor to Netanyahu, criticized the U.S. approach, suggesting that American pressure has been disproportionately directed at Israel. She argued that if the U.S. had allowed Israel more leeway in its military strategy, the conflict might have been resolved sooner, with a more effective strategy against Hamas.
Amid mounting domestic and international pressure, including a general strike by the Israeli labor union federation Histadrut and large-scale protests in Tel Aviv, the situation remains volatile. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman condemned Biden’s focus on Netanyahu, arguing that criticism should be aimed at Hamas and its supporters, not at Israel’s leadership.
As the crisis continues, former U.S. officials and Israeli commentators urge a recalibration of diplomatic strategies to ensure the safety and release of hostages while addressing the broader conflict dynamics.