In a significant shift in stance, the United States has issued its strongest public rebuke toward Israel since the onset of the Gaza war, conditioning its support for Israel’s offensive on concrete actions to address the safety of aid workers and Palestinian civilians.
President Joe Biden, previously a staunch supporter of Israel’s offensive, called for an immediate ceasefire during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following an Israeli attack on a World Central Kitchen charity convoy. The attack resulted in the tragic deaths of seven food aid workers.
The White House emphasized the need for Israel to take specific, measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers. “US policy concerning Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps,” the White House stated.
This marked a significant departure from Biden’s previous stance of unwavering support for Israel, suggesting for the first time that US support could be conditional.
The President’s call for a shift in policy reflects mounting pressure from within his own Democratic Party to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. Biden’s remarks indicate a willingness to reassess US support for Israel if it fails to address the plight of innocent civilians.
White House spokesperson John Kirby declined to elaborate on the specific changes in US policy toward Israel and Gaza. Still, he expressed hope for an announcement of Israeli steps in the “coming hours and days.”
The attack on the World Central Kitchen group, founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, prompted Israel to announce adjustments to its tactics in the Gaza war. The Israeli government described the attack as a result of misidentification and pledged to make inquiry findings public soon.
While the White House expressed outrage and heartbreak over the attack, it had not fundamentally altered its support for Israel until Thursday’s call between Biden and Netanyahu.
During the call, Biden emphasized the necessity of an immediate ceasefire to stabilize the humanitarian situation and protect innocent civilians. He also urged Netanyahu to empower negotiators to conclude a deal to bring home hostages captured by Hamas in a previous attack.
In Brussels, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed Biden’s sentiments, stating that Israel must surge humanitarian assistance and ensure the security of aid providers. “If we don’t see the changes that we need to see, there’ll be changes in our policy,” Blinken warned.
The call for a ceasefire and the conditioning of US support on humanitarian measures represent a significant shift in US policy toward the conflict in Gaza. It underscores the growing international pressure to address the escalating humanitarian crisis and protect civilian lives in the region.
Source: www.reuters.com April 5, 2024
