In the spring of 2024, relations between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu worsened amid Israeli military operations in Gaza and the Middle East. According to renowned journalist Bob Woodward’s new book, “War,” which will be published soon, Biden was extremely dissatisfied with Netanyahu’s actions, especially after the Israeli offensive against Rafah, a major city controlled by Hamas on the Gaza-Gaza border. Egypt.
This was reported by The Times Of Israel.
During a phone conversation in April 2024, Biden asked Netanyahu exasperatedly: “What’s your strategy, man?” However, in response he heard only general statements about the need to carry out a military operation in Rafah. Biden was clearly disappointed with the Israeli leader’s position and said Netanyahu “has no strategy.”
Soon, despite warnings from the United States, Israeli troops launched an operation in Rafah, which, as it turned out, was more successful than Washington expected. This caused a new round of tension in relations between the two countries. Biden, expressing his displeasure with the Israeli government’s actions, privately called Netanyahu a “fucking liar” and a “son of a bitch.”
Another reason for the escalation of the conflict was the Israeli airstrike, which killed top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukar. Biden, upon learning this, did not hide his anger and spoke harshly in a conversation with Netanyahu, pointing out that the world increasingly sees Israel as a “rogue state.”
Woodward’s book also reveals internal discussions within the Biden administration. The president, despite his criticism, has sought to contain Israel, especially after the attacks by Iran. Biden called Israel’s limited response to Iran’s attacks a success.
He even told his advisors that his strategy was to “tell him [Нетаниягу] do nothing”, thus trying to minimize the escalation.
In the context of these events, the book also describes a meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where the issue of normalizing relations with Israel was discussed. The Saudi prince has made it clear that a Palestinian state is not his top priority, although he acknowledged that it is an issue that must be considered in the future.
Earlier, Kursor reported that Biden was losing patience with Netanyahu and increasing pressure on Israel.
The White House is unhappy with Netanyahu’s position on the deal with Hamas and is increasing pressure on Israel.
