U.S. President Biden’s Visit to Israel Links Him to Escalating Conflict

Jon B. Alterman, director of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, emphasized the risk President Biden has assumed by closely aligning himself with Israel. Biden’s strategy seems to be that by consoling, negotiating with, and aiding Israel, he can have more influence over shaping their actions.

The President’s plans to expedite the allocation of billions of dollars in aid to Israel have already generated debates surrounding the use of U.S. taxpayer funds. Additionally, the U.S. veto of a United Nations resolution that called for a ceasefire has caused discontent among American allies.

President Biden announced a $100 million commitment to humanitarian aid in Gaza and the occupied West Bank during his visit. The U.S. has been urging Israel to permit humanitarian aid to assist the Palestinians.

The White House acknowledges that there is a need for better communication regarding Biden’s Israel policy within the United States.

Biden is scheduled to deliver a prime-time White House address to discuss the U.S. response to the attacks by Hamas on Israel and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This address follows his departure from Tel Aviv, during which he announced that he had worked with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to facilitate the opening of the Rafah crossing for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

However, maintaining credibility may become increasingly challenging for President Biden if a ground invasion results in rising civilian casualties, according to Ezra Cohen, a fellow at the Hudson Institute and former U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence. Cohen notes that the situation could necessitate explaining to the American people that Israel is adhering to the law of armed conflict.

Some critics argue that Israel is not abiding by these principles. A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that approximately 78% of Americans, including both Democrats and Republicans, support U.S. diplomatic efforts to allow Gaza residents to flee the fighting and seek refuge in a safe country. In contrast, fewer than half (41%) agree with the statement that the U.S. should support Israel in its conflict with Hamas, with only 2% expressing support for the Palestinians.

The ongoing crisis threatens to undo years of diplomatic work aimed at building stronger relationships with partners in the Arab and Muslim world, including countries like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar. The hope was that these ties would enhance Israel’s security, counter U.S. adversaries from Tehran to Moscow and Beijing, and help stabilize U.S. gas prices.

Diplomatic efforts to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel have been put on hold as President Biden seeks to contain the escalating crisis from engulfing the Middle East and potentially sparking a confrontation with Iran.

As Alterman notes, “Being a president means making bets, and Biden has made one. We’ll see how this turns out.” The consequences of this strategic gamble remain uncertain as the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve.