Biden’s Confrontation With Israel Is Just Election Propaganda
Maariv, Israel, March 14
Amid an election year in the United States, the two candidates vying for victory are refining their messages in hopes of securing another term in the White House. While former President Trump leads his campaign from the campaign trail, President Biden works from within the White House, utilizing all available tools to promote his candidacy and garner support from American voters. Many of us were heartened by President Biden’s swift declaration of support for Israel following the tragic events of October 7. It appeared as though Uncle Sam truly stood by his family, signifying a commitment to combat global terrorism alongside us. Biden acknowledges that Israel’s battle against Hamas is a vital component in the fight against the Axis of Evil comprising Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and more recently Yemen. While one may be inclined to believe in Biden’s noble intentions conveyed by his pro-Israel inaugural speech, his subsequent actions seem to serve a single purpose: securing potential votes in the looming election. Following the October 7 massacre, a delegation of world leaders, spearheaded by the American government, visited Israel, projecting a positive image to the vital 50 million American evangelical Christians who wield significant influence in the US elections. Subsequently, it appears that Biden has shifted his focus to appease additional American demographics, particularly those progressive voices now dominant within the Democratic Party. Biden’s recent series of actions, ostensibly undertaken in the name of a Gaza cease-fire, are perplexing. Whether airdropping aid into Gaza (perhaps due to sagging popularity), discussing the establishment of a seaport in Gaza, or the recent threat to halt security aid to Israel following potential actions in Rafah—each action seems tethered to his campaign objectives. Amidst a tumultuous election season, President Biden must vie for support in a campaign that stretches over a year or longer, in contrast to Israel’s comparatively shorter election timeline. The president’s policies, like those of his administration, are geared towards maximizing electoral gain. Regrettably, the State of Israel, Gaza specifically, appears to be a mere pawn in the ongoing political chess match of the US elections. As the months unfold, we should anticipate more anti-Israel statements from President Biden, not necessarily reflective of his beliefs, but rather a strategic ploy advised by his inner circle. Censuring Netanyahu as problematic, an unprecedented move by a sitting US president against an Israeli prime minister, underscores the political maneuvering at play. The State of Israel, as a sovereign entity, must pursue its objectives unabated, including the expeditious return of hostages, without succumbing to external pressures dictating the course of action. The warm relationship shared between the US and Israel is paramount but must not come at the cost of autonomy and self-determination. Post-American elections, the enduring challenges facing Israel will persist, independent of the political climate. While the bond between the US and Israel remains vital, coercion has no place in this relationship. It is evident that once the election dust settles, this alliance will endure. —Udi Tenne (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)
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