Joe Biden has been getting pressure from folks on the left to throw Israel under the bus in their current battle with the Hamas terrorists.
It sounds like Biden may be caving, at least to some degree.
The left and the anti-Israel UN have been calling for a ceasefire.
Fighting must stop. It must stop immediately. Rockets and mortars on one side and aerial and artillery bombardments on the other must stop. I appeal to all parties to heed this call-@antonioguterres today on the situation in the Middle East. Remarks 👇
https://t.co/syFxKHFeoD— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) May 16, 2021
Now it sounds like they may have pushed Biden in that direction.
Jen Psaki earlier suggested that Biden would not be moving in that direction, and when asked, Biden deferred answering at that time.
REPORTER: "Will you insist on an [Israel-Gaza] ceasefire?"
BIDEN: "I'll speaking with the prime minister in an hour, and I'll be able to talk to you after that." pic.twitter.com/McOE7hyevo
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 17, 2021
Then the White House statement of Biden’s call with Netanyahu indicated that he was in support of a ceasefire.
The President spoke today with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The President reiterated his firm support for Israel’s right to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks. The President welcomed efforts to address intercommunal violence and to bring calm to Jerusalem. He encouraged Israel to make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians. The two leaders discussed progress in Israel’s military operations against Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza. The President expressed his support for a ceasefire and discussed U.S. engagement with Egypt and other partners towards that end. The two leaders agreed that they and their teams would remain in close touch.
According to Axios, this is the first mention that Biden or the U.S. have backed a ceasefire, which means they’re putting pressure on Israel to end the fighting.
An Israeli official said the Biden administration hadn’t given Israel a deadline for reaching a ceasefire but had been stressing on Monday that it was reaching the end of its ability to hold back international pressure on Israel over the Gaza operation.
Now, while he’s supporting a ceasefire, he’s not exactly calling for one, some noted.
While the latest readout of President Biden's call w/ Prime Minister Netanyahu is certainly notable because it mentions support of a ceasefire, it does not outright call for one. A senior admin official confirms Biden is still not explicitly calling for one, as some Dems want.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) May 17, 2021
It sounds like a preliminary pressure move being put on Israel by the Biden team. The U.S. has blocked efforts by the U.N. calling for a ceasefire, as Axios notes.
But that doesn’t appear to be stopping Israel, who has made it clear they’re going to defend themselves from the terrorists and they’re going to do all they can to degrade Hamas assets now.
Folks on the left think they are having success with Biden. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) certainly thought they were pushing him.
Finally!! Our delay in supporting a ceasefire has caused the slaughter of children and destruction of lives.
Now Biden has to push for an end to the occupation. https://t.co/pfgDoIfpK0
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 17, 2021
Twenty-eight senators – more than half of the Democratic caucus – issued a statement on Sunday calling for an immediate ceasefire “to prevent any further loss of civilian life and to prevent further escalation of conflict.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Monday he also wanted to see a ceasefire reached quickly.
Once again, this shows how easily the left can pressure Biden to move where they want, that the idea of Biden as a “moderate” is really a mirage or a convenient cloak he slipped on to help get votes. The reality is he’s been as far left as anyone could be in what he’s put forward and how he’s responded on policy issues. This is just one more example.
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