Staff Reports
The recently announced ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has brought about that classic moment of presidential awkwardness when credit is up for grabs. President Joe Biden faced the media with what could best be described as ‘presidential transition blues’ when asked about who should take credit for the deal. The president’s immediate reaction was to brush off the inquiry, seemingly perturbed by the thought of giving any accolades to the previous administration for a diplomatic achievement that could finally end 15 months of conflict in Gaza.
Biden epitomized the denial of accountability, almost humorously asserting that it was a ridiculous question to ask whether he or the soon-to-be-sworn-in President Trump deserved the pat on the back. Trump, having celebrated the news well before Biden’s office reluctantly caught up with an official statement, said he engineered the deal through his decisive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. That kind of forward-thinking strategy is precisely what the country has been missing under Biden.
Joe Biden Was Asked If Trump Gets Credit for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire, and He Almost Gives a Good Answer https://t.co/a070StVMer
— Ward Clark (@TheGreatLander) January 15, 2025
During the announcement of the ceasefire, Biden did not shy away from acknowledging that the negotiations had to be carried out by the next administration. Still, he could hardly bring himself to admit that Trump’s team played a critical role in forging the agreement. Biden stated he made sure his team coordinated with Trump’s incoming officials to maintain consistency. However, it’s essential to recognize that this wasn’t simply a handover of duties but rather a less-than-gracious acknowledgment of Trump’s groundwork laid before the transition.
Trump’s special envoy, who had been instrumental in these negotiations, worked closely with Biden’s people, showcasing the importance of unity when it comes to American foreign policy. While Biden may have taken a moment to shine a light on his administration’s efforts, one cannot overlook the groundwork that Trump laid and the relationships he cultivated with allies. Past achievements certainly do not vanish when a new administration takes over, no matter how much Biden might wish to believe that.
As the dust settles from this ceasefire, one must critically assess its implications. While it’s heartening to hear of potential hostage releases as part of the ceasefire deal, the concern looms that this could be just another smokescreen orchestrated by Hamas to regroup and rearm for future hostilities. Notorious for turning ceasefires into a tactical advantage, there’s little doubt that the ongoing conflict in Gaza is anything but over. Until there’s a permanent resolution ensuring Hamas is out of the picture, the fears of renewed violence remain palpable.
Overall, the credit for this ceasefire—and for restoring some modicum of stability—certainly rests more with Israel’s unyielding military resolve than with the ineffectual diplomacy of the outgoing Biden administration. Only time will tell if this ceasefire is the beginning of a lasting peace or yet another temporary pause in a long-standing conflict, but one thing is clear: it’s Trump who should be enjoying the recognition for this diplomatic victory, whether Biden cares to acknowledge it or not.
