President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently had their first call in seven weeks. This conversation comes at a time when Israel is expanding its ground incursion into Lebanon and considering how to respond to Iran’s recent ballistic missile attack. Vice President Kamala Harris also joined the call, as confirmed by the White House.
Netanyahu’s office has stated that the Prime Minister had a recent conversation with former President Donald Trump. Trump called Netanyahu last week to congratulate him on the operations carried out against Hezbollah. This call comes as Trump is in a close White House race against Harris.
The conversation between Biden and Netanyahu reflects the growing frustration of the Biden administration with the Prime Minister. The conflict in the Middle East is adding complexity to the American election next month. Netanyahu has been overlooking the Biden administration’s calls for cease-fires, which would temporarily pause the fighting in Gaza and address the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
The spreading conflict in the Middle East is looming over Harris in the final weeks of the White House campaign. Arab-American voters in closely contested states like Michigan are expressing dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of the war in Gaza. Trump has been critical of Harris and Biden’s foreign policy decisions as he seeks to return to the White House.
Biden has emphasized that no administration has helped Israel more than his, and he is not sure if Netanyahu is trying to influence the outcome of the U.S. election. The President has urged Israel to consider alternatives to a retaliatory strike on Iran’s nuclear program, as it could impact the global oil market and pump prices.
Since the leaders’ last call on August 21, Israel has conducted sabotage and assassination campaigns against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel is now engaged in limited ground operations across its northern border with Lebanon to address the threat posed by Hezbollah. The U.S. has maintained a stepped-up troop presence in the region to protect American interests.
The conversation between Biden and Netanyahu follows disclosures from journalist Bob Woodward’s new book, “War,” where Biden expressed frustration and distrust towards the Israeli leader. Biden reportedly called Netanyahu a “son of a b****” and a “bad f——— guy,” feeling that he had been lying regularly. The President even threatened to withhold offensive U.S. weapons shipments.
The White House has declined to comment on these disclosures. The ongoing communication between the U.S. and Israel remains crucial in addressing the complex challenges in the Middle East. As the situation continues to evolve, both countries must navigate these challenges to ensure stability and security in the region.
