Biden admin carefully ramps up criticism of Israel over the Gaza war but stops short of cutting off military aid
NBCMar 05
Biden to Announce Gaza Port Construction for Aid Delivery
Image copyright: Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
US Pres. Joe Biden is expected to announce during his State of the Union address on Thursday that the US military is preparing to build a port in Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid to the strip's increasingly sick and starving population, according to a senior administration official.
Unnamed US officials said the plan won't require American troops on the ground, though they reportedly didn't provide details about how the port would be constructed. One official noted that the US military — which began airdropping aid into Gaza recently — has “unique capabilities."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Israel must be able to defend itself from terrorist attacks from Gaza or elsewhere, and the US is committed to preventing malicious actors from threatening Israel's legitimate concerns. However, the Biden administration is losing its patience with Netanyahu's intransigence. This war needs to wind down, and all of the main actors involved must work toward a more permanent resolution. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is rapidly getting out of hand, and the situation must be remedied.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israel will always be thankful for the US' steadfast support, but the Biden admin. needs to refrain from tying Israel's hands behind its back. Neither Hamas nor Hezbollah are interested in negotiating in good faith, and the current status quo in both the north and south is unacceptable. In contrast to the terrorist tactics of Israel's enemies, Israel has done everything it can to ensure the safety of civilians in a war it did not want. Israel will pursue its goals, which are incredibly popular with its citizens, regardless of whether it annoys Washington or anyone else.
Pro-Palestine narrative
As Israel's slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza continues unabated, the Biden admin., increasingly anxious over the upcoming election, has resorted to cheap tactics to deny its support for Israel's brutal campaign. Regardless of how the administration tries to spin it, Biden has armed Israel, given it diplomatic cover, and refused to call for a permanent cease-fire — all of which incentivizes continued bloodshed. Indeed, Israel's war on Gaza would be unsustainable without US support, and Biden should enact concrete policy to stop the violence.
Narrative D
Hezbollah and the regional resistance will only end their attacks when Israel's war in Gaza ends. Indeed, the resistance's primary goal is to deter Israel from continuing the war in Gaza or violating Lebanon's sovereignty, not start a far larger regional war. Foreign powers believe they can dictate to Hezbollah how it deals with Israel's aggression and impose concessions regarding the status of Lebanon's southern border. However, Hezbollah has the leverage needed to ensure that Lebanon gains if any agreement is reached.
