U.S. President Joe Biden has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by telephone for the first time in two months, following rising tensions between the two allies over Israel’s widening role in the Middle East conflict. Netanyahu is reportedly preparing for possible military action against Iran, and Biden emphasized the need to minimize civilian casualties, particularly in densely populated areas like Beirut.
Vice President Kamala Harris also participated in the call, which the White House said reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security. Biden stressed the importance of finding a diplomatic solution to ensure that both Lebanese and Israelis along the Blue Line border could safely return to their homes.
The official statement from the call, however, made no mention of Israel’s increasing military actions and occupation in southern Lebanon. Biden did, however, underscore the importance of minimizing harm to civilians, especially in densely populated regions of Beirut.
The two leaders also discussed the possibility of resuming diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza. Biden raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and emphasized the importance of regaining access to northern Gaza.
White House: 30-minute call was productive
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre described the Biden-Netanyahu meeting as “direct” and “productive.” She noted that the 30-minute conversation did not delve deeply into details but covered a range of issues. “We will issue a written statement shortly. Discussions between the U.S. and Israel regarding how to respond to Iran’s latest actions are ongoing,” Jean-Pierre said.
Book controversy: No comment on alleged remarks
Jean-Pierre declined to comment on claims in an upcoming book by journalist Bob Woodward, set to be released on October 15, which alleges that Biden used harsh language when referring to Netanyahu in private conversations. When asked about the remarks, Jean-Pierre responded, “I cannot confirm anything.”
Jean-Pierre also avoided commenting on former U.S. President Donald Trump’s past phone calls with Netanyahu when asked for a comparison.
U.S. frustration over Israel’s military moves
According to reports, Netanyahu has been hesitant to share details of a potential retaliatory strike on Iran with the U.S., leading him to block a planned visit to Washington by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. U.S. officials are reportedly frustrated by being caught off guard by Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. The vetoed meeting between Gallant and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was expected to provide more insight into Israel’s thinking regarding Iran.
Challenges for U.S. diplomacy
Despite Biden’s frustrations with Netanyahu’s defiance, U.S. officials have been reluctant to apply significant pressure on Israel, such as through an arms embargo, fearing domestic political repercussions and the upcoming U.S. elections.
Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the Financial Times: “Biden has been reluctant to use his leverage with Netanyahu because of his personality, policies, and the domestic political landscape, especially with one of the most important elections in modern U.S. history approaching.”
Jonathan Lord, an analyst at the Center for a New American Security, noted that U.S. diplomacy toward Israel is struggling. “The U.S. is trying to deter and de-escalate at the same time. Realistically, you can only do one of these effectively, but trying to do both has limited results in either direction.”
