JERUSALEM (AP) — A far-right minister in Israel’s government has sparked outrage by criticizing President Joe Biden and suggesting that former President Donald Trump would have been more supportive in the fight against Hamas. The comments come at a delicate time for US-Israeli ties, as the US provides critical support for Israel’s offensive against militants in Gaza.
The Biden administration has expedited weapons deliveries to Israel and shielded it from international calls for a cease-fire since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that triggered the current conflict. However, the White House has also urged Israel to take greater precautions to avoid civilian casualties and facilitate aid delivery to besieged Gaza. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to visit Israel this week as part of his ongoing trip to the region.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s national security minister, accused Biden of hindering Israel’s war effort in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. He claimed that Biden was too focused on providing humanitarian aid and fuel to Gaza, which ends up benefitting Hamas. According to Ben-Gvir, the US approach would have been different if Trump were still in power.
Ben-Gvir’s comments were met with criticism from Benny Gantz, a retired general and member of Netanyahu’s three-man War Cabinet, who accused Ben-Gvir of causing significant harm to American-Israeli relations. Opposition leader Yair Lapid also condemned Ben-Gvir, stating that his remarks demonstrate a lack of understanding of foreign relations.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry denounced Ben-Gvir’s comments as “racist” and called for international sanctions against him, warning that he poses a threat to regional stability. Although Netanyahu did not directly mention Ben-Gvir, he thanked Biden for his support while cautioning against those who reject cooperation, risking vital interests.
Ben-Gvir and other far-right figures have advocated for the voluntary emigration of Palestinians from Gaza and the return of Jewish settlements, which were dismantled when Israel withdrew troops from the territory in 2005. The Biden administration opposes such a scenario. Members of Netanyahu’s governing coalition have threatened to bring down the government if they believe he is too lenient on Hamas.
The war in Gaza has resulted in extensive destruction, displacing 85% of the population and causing severe food shortages. The Health Ministry in Gaza reported a death toll of 27,365, with the majority of those killed being women and children. Israeli airstrikes have led to civilian casualties, and many Palestinians are struggling to find shelter and basic necessities.
As Blinken prepares to visit the region, Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, emphasized that providing additional aid to Gaza is a top priority. Blinken’s trip will include stops in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and the West Bank. The negotiations mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt to secure the release of captives taken in the October 7 Hamas attack, in exchange for a cease-fire and the release of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, are also a focus of the visit.
Hamas and other militants killed around 1,200 people in the October 7 attack and abducted around 250 individuals. Hamas has stated that it will not release any more hostages until Israel ends its offensive and demands the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu has rejected these demands publicly. Hamas is expected to respond to the latest cease-fire offer in the coming days.
___Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press journalist Wafaa Shurafa in Deir-al-Balah contributed.___Follow AP’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas war at
