While Joe Biden has insisted that Israel must curb its killings of civilians or risk losing global support, Republicans are in lockstep with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war against Hamas in Gaza.
Top House Republicans who spoke to this week scoffed at Biden's humanitarian concerns about killing civilians in Gaza – while some Democrats are demanding that conditions be placed on any further US aid.
Until recently, Biden had vehemently supported Israel's offensive – which polls showed drew criticism from progressives and lost Arab support.
But this week he told Israel's Netanyahu to catch up.
During a campaign reception on Tuesday, Biden said Israel was losing support because of its “indiscriminate bombing campaign” and claimed his current administration does not want a two-state solution.
Biden speculated that Israel needed to “strengthen and change” its government to maintain support around the world.
“Why he says such outlandish things is a mystery to me. But who other than Joe Biden is Netanyahu losing support from,” Texas Republican Roger Williams told .
“I support Israel. I think it's like our 51st state.”
While Joe Biden has insisted that Israel must curb its killings of civilians or risk losing global support, Republicans are in lockstep with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war against Hamas in Gaza
“Netanyahu must defend his nation.” “He must do what is necessary for the region,” said Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala., political chairman of the GOP conference.
A senior U.S. official said national security adviser Jake Sullivan made clear in Israel this week that Netanyahu must complete his country's bombing of Gaza in “weeks, not months.”
Israel lost about 1,200 people when Hamas launched an attack on October 7.
According to the Hamas-affiliated Gaza Health Ministry, some 18,400 Palestinians were killed in the aggressive and bloody campaign to destroy Hamas.
“This is not the time for equivocation,” said Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn.
He called Biden “pretty arrogant” for “telling Israel how he thinks Gaza should be managed after that.”
Biden and Netanyahu clashed this week over who should rule the war-torn Palestinian territory after the destruction of Hamas.
The White House says Netanyahu should allow the Palestinian Authority to take power. Netanyahu rejects this and claims the PA is being funded[s] Terrorism.' But Israel has no clear plan for who will govern the territory.
Last month, the House of Representatives passed a $14 billion aid package for Israel, offset by IRS cuts that were killing the country in the Democratic-led Senate. Discussions in the Senate are now focused on bundling aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan as well as border security provisions – but there is no guarantee that such a large bill can pass both chambers.
This image shows the damage after the Israeli bombardment in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on December 13, 2023, as fighting continues between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas
“This is not the time for equivocation,” said Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn.
“Biden’s comments are dangerous,” said Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont. “And he is again trying to create a propaganda narrative to undermine Israel’s ability to protect its own country.”
“For the leader of the free world to criticize them,” said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., “he is tone deaf.”
Only California Rep. Darrell Issa appeared to suggest that the U.S. should get involved in minimizing civilian casualties in the Middle East conflict.
On Friday, Israeli forces removed some of their hostages, accidentally killing three hostages they had mistaken for militants.
“Israel has the absolute right not only to defend itself but also to seek out those who murdered more than 1,200 Israeli and American citizens,” he said, but it must do so “in a way that does not just win the war “But also war.” Peace – that must be the common goal.”
“To the extent that we can work with Israel to improve their effectiveness with less collateral damage, we all have an obligation to do so,” he continued. “It's not just about making the statement publicly, but also about bringing to bear what we've learned in Afghanistan and Iraq over 20 years.”
“We can’t just tell them to stop – we have to find ways to minimize the impact on innocent people,” he said.