Biden recorded a hurried interview where he called the occupation of the Gaza Strip a big mistake. He also called for the creation of a Palestinian state. Secretary of State Blinken made much the same rhetoric, and after his visit to Israel, plans for a ground operation were put on hold and water began to flow into the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu begs Biden to visit Israel. But the White House is hesitant to do so – not wanting to be associated so strongly with the bombing of the Gaza Strip. The liberal wing of the Democrat Party is already persistently accusing Israel of war crimes. But even among the Republicans there is no unity – isolationists in the Senate propose to cut off the tranches to both Israel and Palestine at the same time.
The White House is hoping to get $50 billion from Congress to spend on Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan at once. But first, Congress needs to deal with the election of the Speaker – where a stalemate has developed. In addition, many isolationists, critics of Ukraine among Republicans and opponents of Israel among Democrats will vote against it.
Amid the chaos in Washington, Saudi Arabia will hold its first military exercises with China – showing its attitude to the weakened US under Biden. Meanwhile, the White House is trying to arrange behind-the-scenes “deals” with Iran – but Tehran has threatened to increase pressure on Israel if the bombings continue. Biden is desperately trying to keep things manageable – but his entire Middle East policy is coming apart, and with it his chances of re-election.
Malek Dudakov