Staff Reports
The war in Gaza has forced President Joe Biden to alter his stance on Israeli support, leading to criticism from both supporters and some members within his own administration. Biden’s fluctuating viewpoints have culminated in a direct threat to withhold weapons if the Israel Defense Forces invaded Rafah, sparking outrage from supporters of Israel.
Biden's position on Israel-Hamas war has morphed repeatedly in 7 months from offering unequivocal support to whatever yesterday was. Here's a timeline from @Brady_k6 https://t.co/e1XjvL5KoW
— Chris Irvine (@chrisirvine86) May 9, 2024
Initially, after Hamas’s surprise attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Biden demonstrated strong support for Israel and its right to defend itself. However, as the conflict progressed, Biden’s stance began to shift, eventually expressing concerns about the humanitarian situation and urging for a temporary ceasefire.
The tension between the U.S. and Israel heightened as Israel continued to push for a ground invasion of Rafah, despite U.S. opposition. President Biden condemned Israel’s actions as “over the top” and expressed his frustration, eventually warning of cutting off offensive arms shipments if Israel proceeded with the invasion.
Additionally, progressive Democrats protested against Israel’s conduct, with several university campuses witnessing heightened activism. While Biden denounced the excesses of the protests, he also defended students’ rights to peaceful protest.
The Biden administration’s changing rhetoric towards Israel has provoked criticism and raised concerns about the consistency of his foreign policy approach. Biden’s shifting positions have drawn immense attention and raised questions about the future of U.S.-Israel relations.
