WASHINGTON − President Joe Biden warned Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel is losing international support over the war in Gaza and pushed back at Israeli’s post-war vision in the president’s most direct criticism of the Israeli government amid the Middle East conflict.
Biden, speaking to supporters during a private campaign fundraiser at a Washington D.C. hotel, singled out Israel’s “indiscriminate bombing” of Gaza as the reason it is “starting to lose” support around the world. He urged Netanyahu to find a long-term solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“Bibi’s got a tough decision to make,” Biden, referring to Netanyahu, said. “He’s a good friend, but I think he has to change − with this government. This government in Israel is making it very difficult for him to move.”
Biden’s remarks came after Netanyahu, in a video statement, said Israel has the “full backing” of the U.S. and that it blocked “international pressure” for Israel to end the war. But Netanyahu said he has failed to reach an agreement with Biden on the future of Gaza after Hamas is defeated.
Netanyahu opposes any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza after the war while the Biden administration supports a two-state solution for Israel and Palestinians.
“There is a disagreement when it comes to ‘the day after Hamas,’” Netanyahu said. “I hope we will come to an agreement there, too.”
At the fundraiser, Biden took aim at Netanyahu’s government, calling it “the most conservative…
