Biden Criticism Of Netanyahu Only 'Bluffing': Hebrew Media

Biden claims he is opposed to Netanyahu's killing of civilians, refusal to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, and planned invasion of Rafah

When President Joe Biden criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over killing and starving Palestinians in Gaza, he is "bluffing" for domestic reasons and strengthening Netanyahu, prominent Israeli commentators have stated.

Many reports have emerged in the US, Israeli, and Arab press in recent weeks that Biden and Netanyahu are on a "collision course" due to the prime minister's refusal to allow aid into Gaza and plans for an invasion of Rafah, where over 1 million displaced Gazans have fled to escape Israeli bombing in northern parts of the strip.

Axios reported on 12 March that a Rafah invasion is a red line both for Biden and Netanyahu....

Qatar-based The New Arab similarly claimed on 11 March that "Frustration has been mounting over civilian casualties and Netanyahu's refusal to open more aid routes to Gaza" and that "Biden's strained relationship with Netanyahu" may be at a "breaking point."

This strain has allegedly led the US to carry out humanitarian airdrops to Gaza and sparked plans to build a temporary port on the Gaza shore to deliver aid by ship.

However, Jewish Insider reported on 11 March that the dispute between Biden and Netanyahu is not genuine and that Biden's public criticism of Netanyahu is strengthening him in the eyes of the Israeli public.

The outlet noted that Biden is criticizing policies advocated by Netanyahu that are popular among Israeli Jews....

An Israel Democracy Institute survey published on Sunday found that 74 percent support invading Rafah, while only 12 percent oppose it....

"Biden has a game he's playing, and that is criticism of Bibi … It reduces some of the flames," Dayan said.

Dayan argued that Biden is trying to avoid a situation ahead of this summer's Democratic National Convention like that in 1968, which was marked by anti-Vietnam War protests and rioting.

🔗Source: The Cradle

Related: 3/11 — Netanyahu Will Ignore Biden’s ‘Red Line’ Move Forward Attack Rafah

While Biden said attacking Rafah was a “red line,” he restated that the US would never stop sending Israel weapons for “self-defense.”

3/11 — US Building Gaza Port To Facilitate Mass 'Voluntary' Migration: Anadolu Agency

"If the US wished to stave off famine in Gaza, it could simply use its leverage as Israel's leading supplier of weapons to force Tel Aviv to allow more aid to enter by truck convoys"

3/10 — Biden Says He’ll Never Stop Sending Arms for Israel’s ‘Self-Defense’

“It is a red line,” he said, when asked about Rafah, “but I’m never going to leave Israel. The defense of Israel is still critical, so there’s no red line I’m going to cut off all weapons so they don’t have the Iron Dome to protect them.”

....The unclear policy reflects the tightrope the White House is now trying to walk, attempting to place blame on Netanyahu for the slaughter in Gaza without cutting Washington’s significant support for Tel Aviv.

3/10 — Biden: Netanyahu ‘Hurting Israel’ By Not Preventing More Civilian Deaths in Gaza

3/8 — Washington Quietly Flooded Israel With Weapons Used To Ethnically Cleanse Gaza

"As the White House publicly feigns concern for the mass murder of Palestinian civilians by Israel, for the past five months, the Pentagon has delivered tens of thousands of bombs used to flatten the Gaza Strip"

3/6 — Related: Leaked US Cable Acknowledges ‘Catastrophic’ Cost Of Israel’s Rafah Invasion

2/26 — Netanyahu Says Hostage Deal Will Only Delay Attack on Rafah

2/19 — US Proposes UN Security Council Oppose Rafah Assault, Back Temporary Gaza Ceasefire

2/13 — U.S. Gives Israel the Green Light to Kill Civilians in Rafah

2/13 — Biden Not Reconsidering ‘Unequivocal’ Support for Israel’s Gaza Slaughter

2/10 — Biden Admin Admits to ‘Missteps’ in Handling Gaza Genocide But Will Not Alter Policy

1/21 — Netanyahu Defies Biden, Insisting There’s ‘No Space’ For Palestinian State

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