Biden confronts new global and political crisis with Israel war.
Hamas’s Deadly Attacks and Biden’s Challenges
The Conflict and Biden’s Foreign Policy
Hamas’s deadly terrorist attacks in Israel and Israel’s forceful reprisals in Gaza present President Joe Biden with personal and political challenges as he grapples with the war.
The conflict coincides with concerns regarding Biden’s foreign policy, particularly his distant relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and problematic approach to Iran, amid Republican opposition to Ukraine funding and Democratic division over Israel.
Pressure on Biden’s Iran Policy
Hamas’s terrorist attacks and widespread kidnappings are “already putting the Biden policy toward Iran … under a microscope,” according to Foundation for Defense of Democracies senior adviser Richard Goldberg. Goldberg particularly criticized last month’s U.S.-Iran prisoner swap, which included five people per side and Biden unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian money.
“Iran is the primary sponsor of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad,” Goldberg told the Washington Examiner. “That this attack came after the administration [released] billions of dollars for Iran’s use is not a coincidence.”
“There will be growing pressure on the White House to reverse its policy of appeasement toward Tehran and start locking down all available funds for the mullahs and their proxies,” he said. “And that’s why you are seeing the White House spin so hard trying to distance Iran from the massacre.”
Setback for Biden’s Middle East Policy
Retired Army Col. Rich Outzen, an Atlantic Council senior fellow, agreed Hamas’s terrorist attacks, including targeting Nova Festival attendees, and Israel’s retaliatory strikes, which have altogether killed more than 1,500 people so far, “represent a serious setback” for Biden’s Middle East policy. The Vandenberg Coalition advisory board member described the president’s Mideast policy as ”incentivizing Iran and encouraging Saudi-Israel reconciliation while deprioritizing the region overall.”
“All three lobes of this policy have taken a major blow: the first because Iran appears to have played a significant role in planning and resourcing the attacks, the second because the fallout from the ongoing Israeli counteroffensive will strain Israel’s standing in the Gulf and among Arab and Muslim populations regionally and globally, the third because Israel’s security has again been put into question and vaulted to the top of mind for average Americans, who retain positive views and willingness to support Israel,” Outzen said.
Political Challenges for Biden
EqualProtect.org founder and Cornell Law School professor William Jacobson similarly underscored Biden’s “domestic political problem” because the “progressive left wing of the Democratic Party [had] turned on Israel long before the current conflict.”
“If Biden sticks with traditional American support for and of Israel, he will alienate the most activist wing of his party,” he said. “The people in the streets chanting ‘Free Palestine’ and the genocidal ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ are the Democrat base.”
Recommendations for Biden’s Foreign Policy
More broadly, American Enterprise Institute foreign and defense policy senior fellow Danielle Pletka broached the domestic and international perception of Biden as “weak” and how “weakness spawns its own consequences.” Pletka recommended that the president first “support Israel in its rescue of American and other hostages.”
“Provide Israel the weapons it needs, suspend aid to the [Palestine Authority], end the undeclared dialogue with the Iranian regime, [and] consider adding Lebanon and Qatar to the state sponsors of terrorism list,” she said.
Trump’s Criticism and Biden’s Approval Rating
Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive 2024 Republican nominee, is spearheading GOP criticism of Biden over Israel and Iran. Trump condemned Biden during a rally Monday in New Hampshire for betraying Israel, promising to “once again stand strongly” Israel if he wins next year’s election.
With Biden’s foreign policy approval rating averaging net negative 17 percentage points, the Democratic National Committee has tried to counter the criticism by scrutinizing Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-AL) military nomination and promotion holds over the Pentagon’s abortion access policy.
Biden’s Response and Support for Israel
Biden was briefed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and others Monday morning before his aides called a “lid,” indicating he would not take part in any more public appearances that day, before noon. The president did deliver an address Sunday in the State Dining Room, has been coordinating support with international counterparts, and published multiple statements, including when the U.S. death toll rose to 11 people.
“It’s heart wrenching,” he wrote Monday. “While we are still working to confirm, we believe it is likely that American citizens may be among those being held by Hamas.”
“The United States and the State of Israel are inseparable partners, and I affirmed to Prime Minister Netanyahu again when we spoke [Sunday] that the United States will continue to make sure Israel has what it needs to defend itself and its people,” he said.
How can President Biden navigate the political divisions within his own party regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Hamas’s attacks
Aggression.” She urged Biden to take a strong stance against Hamas and Iran, emphasizing the importance of clear and decisive action.
Pletka suggested that Biden should reaffirm the United States’ unwavering support for Israel, both in words and actions. This could include providing additional military aid to Israel to ensure its security and deter further attacks. She also emphasized the need to work closely with regional allies, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to counter the influence of Iran and its proxies.
Additionally, Pletka recommended a comprehensive review of the Biden administration’s approach to Iran. She argued that the United States should not reward Iran with financial relief while it continues to support terrorist organizations like Hamas. Instead, she proposed a tougher stance, including stricter sanctions and holding Iran accountable for its actions.
Furthermore, Pletka stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of the conflict, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. She urged the Biden administration to work towards a lasting and just solution, including direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
In conclusion, Hamas’s deadly attacks and Israel’s forceful response pose significant challenges for President Biden’s foreign policy. The conflict puts pressure on Biden’s approach to Iran and highlights political divisions within his own party. To address these challenges, it is crucial for Biden to take a strong stance against terrorism, reaffirm support for Israel, and work towards a comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Only through clear and decisive actions can Biden overcome these challenges and demonstrate effective leadership in the Middle East.
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