WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden ‘s growing frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to mount, with the Democrat captured on a hot mic saying that he and the Israeli leader will need to have a “come to Jesus meeting.”
The comments by Biden came as he spoke with Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., on the floor of the House chamber following Thursday night’s State of the Union address.
In the exchange, Bennet congratulates Biden on his speech and urges the president to keep pressing Netanyahu on growing humanitarian concerns in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg were also part of the brief conversation.
Biden then responds using Netanyahu’s nickname, saying, “I told him, Bibi, and don’t repeat this, but you and I are going to have a ‘come to Jesus’ meeting.”
An aide to the president standing nearby then speaks quietly into the president’s ear, appearing to alert Biden that microphones remained on as he worked the room.
“I’m on a hot mic here,” Biden says after being alerted. “Good. That’s good.”
A widening humanitarian crisis across Gaza and tight Israeli control of aid trucks have left virtually the entire population desperately short of food, according to the United Nations. Officials have been warning for months that Israel’s siege and offensive were pushing the Palestinian territory into famine.
Biden has become increasingly public about his frustration with the Netanyahu government’s unwillingness to open more land crossings for critically needed aid to make its way into Gaza.
In his address on Thursday, he called on the Israelis to do more to alleviate the suffering even as they try to eliminate Hamas.
“To Israel, I say this humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip,” Biden said.
The president announced in his speech Thursday that the U.S. military would help establish a temporary pier aimed at boosting the amount of aid getting into the territory. Last week, the U.S. military began air dropping aid into Gaza.
Biden said the temporary pier, ”will enable a massive increase in humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza.”
In a recent hot mic moment caught on camera, President Joe Biden was heard expressing frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the ongoing crisis in Gaza. The exchange took place during a virtual event commemorating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, where the two leaders were discussing the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas.
Biden’s frustration was evident as he criticized Netanyahu for his handling of the situation in Gaza, where hundreds of Palestinians have been killed and thousands more injured in the recent conflict. The President reportedly told Netanyahu that he expected a “significant de-escalation” in the violence and emphasized the need for a ceasefire to prevent further loss of life.
The tense exchange highlights the growing rift between the United States and Israel over the issue of Gaza, with Biden taking a more critical stance towards Netanyahu’s government than his predecessor, Donald Trump. The President has faced pressure from within his own party to take a tougher stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza, with many Democrats calling for a more even-handed approach to the conflict.
The Biden administration has been working behind the scenes to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveling to the region to meet with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders. The President has also spoken with other world leaders, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II, to discuss ways to end the violence in Gaza.
Despite the tensions between the two leaders, Biden reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to Israel’s security and right to defend itself against attacks from Hamas. However, he also stressed the importance of protecting innocent civilians on both sides of the conflict and called for a diplomatic solution to end the violence.
The hot mic moment has sparked debate among politicians and analysts about the future of US-Israel relations under the Biden administration. Some see it as a sign of growing frustration with Netanyahu’s policies, while others believe it is a necessary step towards achieving a lasting peace in the region.
As the crisis in Gaza continues to unfold, all eyes will be on President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu as they navigate the delicate balance between supporting Israel’s security and advocating for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Only time will tell if their differences can be overcome and a ceasefire can be achieved to bring an end to the violence in Gaza.
