Is Biden's Unconditional Support Of Israel Nearing Its Limit?
Dec 4, 2023
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Peter Baker, chief White House correspondent for the New York Times, discusses the implications of President Biden's support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. They explore the breakdown of the temporary truce, the U.S.-Israel relationship, the impact of Arab-Israel agreements, and the challenges Biden faces in maintaining his unwavering support for Israel.
The United States' traditional unconditional support for Israel is facing growing criticism as civilian casualties rise in the Gaza conflict.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas poses a challenge for the US to align its interests with the extensive destruction required for Israel's goal of eradicating Hamas in Gaza, risking wider regional conflicts and impacting US relations with Arab nations.
Deep dives
Escalating Violence in Gaza
The temporary truce between Israel and Hamas has collapsed, leading to relentless bombings in southern Gaza. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed and hundreds more wounded as fighting resumed. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) expressed concern over the impact of intense attacks on Gaza's children.
US Support for Israel
As civilian casualties mount in Gaza, senior US officials, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, have warned Israel to avoid civilian deaths. The US has traditionally provided unconditional support to Israel, but criticism of US policy is growing as the toll of civilian casualties rises.
Challenges for US-Israel Relationship
The massive loss of civilian life and displacement in the Gaza conflict poses a challenge for the US to maintain its alignment with Israel. While some argue that Hamas is to blame for the casualties, others point out that Israel's endgame of eradicating Hamas would require extensive destruction in Gaza, which runs counter to US goals. The conflict also impacts US relations with Arab nations and risks wider regional conflicts. President Biden's support for Israeli military action is facing scrutiny, and there are signs that his unconditional support may be reaching its limits.
Israel has stepped up military operations in Gaza after the temporary ceasefire ended last week. Gaza health officials say several hundred Palestinians have been killed and hundreds more have been wounded since the fighting resumed, complicating how the U.S. maintains its alignment with Israel.
NPR's Fatma Tanis speaks with analysts who say that U.S. support for Israel is undermining American interests and NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Peter Baker, chief White House correspondent for the New York Times, about how President Biden's history with Israel is shaping current U.S. policy.