President Joe Biden is contemplating actions to prevent Israel from utilizing American-made weapons in a potential offensive in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, according to an op-ed by senior columnist David Ignatius in The Washington Post.
Ignatius claims that Biden feels if Israel proceeds with an attack in Rafah without ensuring the safety of the civilian population, it could lead to an unprecedented strain in the relationship between the U.S. and Israel.
“Israel should understand that the Biden administration’s level of frustration about mishandling of the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached the limit,” former U.S. ambassador to Israel, Martin Indyk, was quoted in the column.
The op-ed suggests that Biden feels Netanyahu has ignored U.S. warnings and advice, leading to a one-sided relationship.
“The administration feels it supports Israeli interests, at considerable political cost at home and abroad, while Netanyahu isn’t responsive to American requests. Israel argues that any space between U.S. and Israeli policy only benefits Hamas. But Israel doesn’t make compromises to narrow that gap,” Ignatius writes.
Ignatius notes that although Biden and his senior advisors have not finalized a decision to impose conditions on U.S. weapons usage, the mere conversation underscores the “extreme steps” the administration is willing to take in its bid to control Israel’s plans.
