Biden aide acknowledges missteps on Gaza and regrets failure to express concern over loss of Palestinian life
CBSFeb 12
US Shares Rival UNSC Resolution for Temporary Gaza Cease-Fire
The Facts
After vetoing an Arab-backed UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the US circulated a rival resolution calling for a temporary cease-fire in Gaza "as soon as practical," the release of Israeli hostages, and the lifting of restrictions on aid delivery.
The US' resolution also underscored that Israel should not enter Rafah — in which around half of the strip's 2.3M population are taking refuge along the border — "under current circumstances," citing the possibility of "harm to civilians" and the exodus of Palestinians into "neighboring countries."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Israel must be able to defend itself from terrorist attacks, whether from Gaza or elsewhere, and the US will always support Israel in maintaining its security. However, Netanyahu is going too far with the war in Gaza, and he must be willing to follow through on his promises and compromise as needed so that another extended truce can take effect, which will hopefully lead to a more permanent resolution to this conflict. The Biden administration is losing its patience with Netanyahu's intransigence.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israel will always be thankful for the US' steadfast support, but Pres. Joe Biden needs to take a step back from his criticisms of Israel's Prime Minister. Netanyahu is a complicated figure, and Biden has a re-election campaign to worry about, which has created understandable tension between the two. However, Biden must understand that he should be pressuring Hamas terrorists — who have not made a single positive step in finding a compromise — instead of Israel. Israel will pursue its goals, which are incredibly popular with its citizens, regardless of whether it annoys Washington.
Pro-Palestine narrative
As Israel's slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza continues unabated, the Biden administration, 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.
Nerd narrative
There's a 2% chance that a shared power arrangement will have de facto power in the Gaza Strip on Jan. 1, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.