The White House’s Israeli Embrace

Joe Biden’s full-throated support for Israel strengthens U.S. leverage in the unfolding war.

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President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023. (Photo by GPO/ Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

President Joe Biden’s commitment to Israel was tested on the eve of his visit to Israel Wednesday. Hours prior to his arrival, a blast shook a hospital in Gaza. Hundreds were initially reported dead.

Hamas officials blamed the explosion on an Israeli airstrike—a narrative quickly reported by major news outlets across the world. Rioting swept the Middle East as demonstrators took to U.S. and Israeli embassies and consulates in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, and elsewhere to oppose the alleged Israeli war crime. In his own apparent protest, Jordanian King Abdullah II canceled a four-way summit with Biden and the leaders of Egypt and the Palestinian Authority that had been scheduled for Wednesday. 

But the Biden administration wasn’t as quick to assign blame. After landing in Israel as planned, the president publicly confirmed the assessment of Israeli officials and independent researchers: The blast had likely been caused by a stray rocket launched by Islamic Jihad, a Gaza-based terrorist group. 

It’s just the latest example of the continuing trend since Hamas terrorists massacred Israelis civilians on October 7: the Biden administration’s continuing, steadfast support for the United States’ longtime regional ally. 

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  1. Jack H Wolf

    Kudos to Ms. Lawson, and credit to the occasional appreciation of the president as opposed to the reflex partisanship I often see, and probably am guilty of myself, the other way, we are all somewhat tribal, nuh?
    I am not a Biden supporter in the sense of approving his left shift in governance or his ability to beat Trump, but I think he is closer to a traditional Republican view on Ukraine and Israel than the growing isolationism on the Republican side. Fortunately there are likely enough old guard Republicans to work with Dems to push through support for Ukraine if we dont end up with a Freedom Caucus speaker.
    I think he is doing Ronald Reagan proud by standing up for democracy and the need for the US to be active in the world. Now, he seems to make the point that Hamas does not represent the Palestinians, which may or may not be true, they voted that way in 2006, and in a similar way he addressed the threats to American democracy from MAGA by distinguishing them from Republicans, somewhat wishful thinking, but I do see it as positive anti tribalism. For Trump every Democrat is an extreme socialist, just as everybody who opposes him is a RINO. That is in essence not taking a position on issues but just saying my side is right. To me the most honorable thing a person can do is recognize the humanity of those they oppose. McCain did that. Biden tries. And for that I might forgive him his obsession with having to please the Sander's crowd and being the new FDR.

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      Ben Connelly

      “I think he is doing Ronald Reagan proud by standing up for democracy and the need for the US to be active in the world.“

      Except that he betrayed our Afghan allies (Trump was going to do the same, of course) and he continues to refuse to put forward a Navy budget that demonstrates seriousness about China. It’s all well and good to talk tough, but when our Navy is shrinking instead of growing that demonstrates his priorities are in sounding tough rather than doing the work to keep America strong.

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      1. Jack H Wolf

        The withdrawal from Afghanistan was signed sealed and delivered by Donald Trump, when we had the leverage of being there, he basically had no preconditions on leaving and signed the withdrawal agreement. I wouldn't have left, but that was our chance to make demands on the Taliban, and I dont think the voters wanted to stay even though in the last 3-4 years we really had minimal casualties, the majority non combat.
        The other stuff I dont know about, but I appreciate that the president speaks about democracy and supporting it and not going with the America First and endless wars rhetoric of the right and the further left. If we elect Trump, the champagne will flow in Moscow.
        I think there is a tribal phenom where we dont like to give credit for people on the other side when they do good things. I saw it among Dems when Mitch McConnell probably gave the strongest opposition to Trumps bogus election claims and all people could do is complain about his alleged past sins. I have been opposed to Biden running and dont like a lot of his policies, but on this he is doing well.

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          Ben Connelly

          Yeah I mean I’ll take this over Trump but Trump shouldn’t be the standard because most reasonably competent human beings could pass that standard

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    2. Christopher Lake

      Jack, as a former radical leftist (in youth and young adulthood), and a "non-MAGA" conservative for many more years now, I can heartily agree with your comment here, even as we may disagree on certain issues and policies. That disagreement is fine, because there is a bigger picture that is so much more important, and the President pointed to that bigger picture tonight. We are *all Americans,* and Biden pointed us towards the best of America tonight. At least in my view, this speech marked perhaps his finest moment as President thus far. I was encouraged and moved. While I disagree with him on more than a few issues, I strongly agree with him on Israel and Ukraine. He sounded like a conservative tonight, while the anti-Ukraine, and sometimes, at least, iffy on Israel, isolationists in the Republican Party sound like the radical leftism of my youth-- and I am *so glad* that Biden is actively pushing back on the far left within his Party with his support of Israel!

      President Biden spoke for our allies tonight, sovereign nations which are enduring such horrible, unjustified brutality. He spoke in a clear and uniting way to America about the need to support Israel and Ukraine. He spoke for me, as a conservative, notwithstanding the other subjects where he and I would differ. I do fervently hope that he *remains* as steadfast, with his support of both countries, as he sounded tonight in this great speech. I will choose to be hopeful on that point and will watch what happens. Tonight, I am proud of President Biden and encouraged by him.

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      1. Jack H Wolf

        Interesting thoughts Mr. Lake. I was never radical but was a lifelong middle of the road Dem who only became on the conservative end by the party marching left.
        I hope we remain steadfast. Americans have become very impatient with any military involvement. I think it is a noble thing to be able to disagree with somebody yet appreciate when they do well. As a Dem who wasnt very fond of GWB (though I thought his father was a lot smarter) one thing I really admire about him is how many lives he saved in Africa by his support for health measures combatting AIDs which are said to have saved 25M lives.

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        1. Christopher Lake

          I agree with you on all counts, Jack. I strongly hope that both Ukraine and Israel will continue to receive the necessary assistance, from the U.S. and from other countries, for as long as it takes, to defeat those who would (and are trying to) destroy, or at the very least, subjugate and virtually enslave, them.

          As a conservative, I had, and still have, my own disagreements with GWB. If I listed them all here, I would be here for a while, and life away from the internet is calling me. :-) However, I do share your admiration of, and thankfulness for, his support for health measures to combat AIDS in Africa.

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    Matt Anderson

    For all Biden's faults, he's been more or less steadfast on Israel and Ukraine which is commendable. I understand the U.S. doesn't want to police the world, but maintaining clear eyed and strong leadership on the world stage is critical to long term peace and stability.

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    1. Joe1776

      His statements are unclear about what he will do and how he will support Israel if certain Arab countries join in. I hope he will be strong but I don’t see him building a coalition of other countries that will help Israel. Is he meeting with our other allies to get them on board? Giving money to the Palestinians will open floodgates to them. He gave a green light to lots of Arab European and other states to provide assistance to them and that money will not be closely watched. I just tend to doubt he is convincing Israeli leadership he can be trusted. If I were them I certainly wouldn’t trust he will do much to help.

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      1. Hikingguy

        Funny thing. Israeli citizens are appreciative of President Biden and his support. Big old picture of the star of David shaking hands with the Stars and Stripes on the front page of the Jerusalem post. They seem much less worried about Biden than you are.

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        1. Joe1776

          Here is a I think a reasonable request from an Israeli politician. Do you think Biden will listen?
          https://www.foxnews.com/world/jerusalem-deputy-mayor-demands-proof-life-hostages-assurance-before-biden-humanitarian-aide-hits-gaza

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        2. Joe1776

          Given their situation I think the last thing they will do is bash the POTUS. And of course, Israeli leaders will try to emphasize/highlight how appreciative they are of Biden's *strong commitment to their defense.* Even if they thought it was lackluster would they say so letting their enemies think that? Do you think they are happy Biden is giving $100 million to the Palestinians? Is Israel joining in and giving Palestinians money as well? Of course they do not want to create a rift between them and the US now but I mean "come on man" Israel is concerned about existential threats that will be coming sure as day if other countries think US is not completely supporting Israel.

          Fact is we don't know the situation. The body language I get from Netanyahu suggests he can barely stand to look at Biden but ok that is speculation. But we are stuck reading between the lines because Israel will of course present the face that they are super happy with how the US is going to back them up.

          As for the people of Israel. Maybe someone will do a poll on what they think of giving Palestinians $100 million. If they are in favor of it then sure I admit that I am misreading the situation.

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          1. Hikingguy

            God, you are amazing. Absence of evidence does not matter. Just spin whatever tale you want because you know Israel better than Israelis do. One helluva party trick. Look, you just despise Biden. I get it. You fail to persuade. And how the hell am I supposed to know if Biden listens to a specific Israeli politician? Geez.

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      Chris Babcock

      Agreed (although as an old neo-con, I don't mind us policing the world). Biden has been a disappointment in a lot of ways, but I have been grateful for his leadership vis-a-vis Ukraine and especially his firm commitment to Israel.

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    Aylene Wright

    Thanks to Charlotte for the reporting, and thanks to her editors for approving the publication, even though the lack of Biden-bashing in it, is likely to trigger some of those reading it.

    I am also curious, about whether there's been much backlash at the Israeli government for the intelligence failures before the attack. I understand if that topic's not a priority, considering the limitations of TD resources. But I would appreciate a feature on this, eventually.

    When 9/11 happened, the dominant narrative was focused on the direct culpability of the actual AQ terrorists who committed the attack, on their bosses including Osama bin Laden, and then on the Afghanistan Taliban for harboring them. Blaming the US government for intelligence failures, wasn't a big part of the story until maybe 2-3 weeks out.

    But, I get the impression, even from some interviews of survivors and family members of the hostages, that there's already a lot of anger at Netanyahu. One woman advocating for her missing daughter, said something like "the Prime Minister... gave a Speech. A Speech!" With the obvious insinuation that he hadn't done anything else to address the situation.

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      Scarlette Tarte

      My friends in Israel confirm your suspicions. Netanyahu has embraced his inner authoritarian, and many in Israel are eager to move on from him.

      2/3 of Israeli voters disapproved of Netanyahu before this happened. They thought they had managed to get rid of him, but, like a bad penny, he kept coming back, refusing to realize he was not wanted.

      The only way he was able to get back into power was by making coalition with the Israeli far right, the Orthodox and the ultra Orthodox.

      Netanyahu's ONLY plus, was that most Israelis agreed that he would keep them safe. "Mr. Safety" was his nickname. But his trying to strip the judiciary of their check on the knesset, had become the last straw for the secular Jews, who saw this as a power grab for both Netanyahu and the Orthodox.

      There are lots of sects of the Orthodox. The ultra Orthodox have begun making serious problems for secular Jews, and the government of Israel. Back in March of 2013, on flag day, bands of Orthodox young men roamed the streets shouting "death to Arabs", and some have lately taken to spitting on Christians and Christian pilgrimage sites. https://apnews.com/article/christians-jerusalem-old-city-spitting-524b3b8e92beb4c947b3b8b49e80cc45

      Now, Israel has awakened to find that he has also been a failure at the one thing they thought he was good at...keeping them safe...and their anger and dismay is palpable. Videos have been making the rounds of doctors and families throwing Netanyahu's government officials out of hospitals, when they have shown up to visit the wounded, with shouts of "you have ruined this country", etc.

      My friends two children arrived Tuesday night from Israel, and their parents will be following after they complete their reserve duty. They say they no longer recognize the country of their youth as theirs anymore.

      Things are not good in Israel. There is a grim determination to end Hamas once and for all, but there is not the sense that they are all in this together, as there once was.

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  4. Joe1776

    "Biden on Wednesday announced a $100 million humanitarian aid package to displaced Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, claiming the U.S. had the “mechanisms in place” to make sure it’s not redirected into the hands of terrorists."

    So what changed? Is money no longer fungible? This will undoubtedly send the signal to Europe and others that they can start sending money to Palestine. Are we sending an aid package to Russia next?

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  5. April

    Great analysis. Looking at this issue from multiple perspectives is why I subscribe to the Dispatch.

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  6. Poisonwood Bible

    Be safe!

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