The insight from the speech is a cautionary message to Israel about the potential consequences of responding too aggressively to the current situation. By drawing on the post-9-11 experience in the United States, the speaker warns Israel not to make the same mistake of responding with excess and losing the world's sympathy. The speaker emphasizes the need for deliberate decision-making, asking hard questions, and being cautious about not going too far to avoid losing international support. The caution implicitly refers to the Iraq War, and the speaker, who had initially supported it as a senator, came to regret the decision.
As the cease-fire in Gaza has ended and the fierce fighting there has resumed, the United States has issued sharper warnings to Israel’s leaders that they have a responsibility to avoid civilian casualties.
Peter Baker, The Times’s chief White House correspondent, discusses the public and private ways in which President Biden is trying to influence Israel’s conduct.
Guest: Peter Baker, chief White House correspondent for The New York Times.
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