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White House National Security Adviser John Kirby has addressed questions on President Joe Biden’s views towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s role in the ongoing war in Gaza.
The conversation was sparked by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s recent remarks calling for Israel to conduct new elections and critiquing Netanyahu’s leadership approach. Schumer’s speech, described by Biden as “good,” led to significant backlash and accusations of meddling in Israel’s internal affairs.
.@SenSchumer: ""At this critical juncture I believe a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision making process about the future of Israel." pic.twitter.com/U1CTr6QW0C
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 14, 2024
Kirby, when pressed by “Fox News Sunday” host Shannon Bream on whether Biden views Netanyahu as an impediment to peace, said, These are two men — leaders that have known each other a long time, Shannon, and they don’t agree on everything, haven’t over 40 years. And there are certain aspects to the prosecution of operations in Gaza where we obviously don’t agree with everything that Israel has done. But they have a relationship where they can talk to one another. And they do and they will again. He is the prime minister of Israel, and we respect the sovereignty of the Israeli people.”
When asked if President Biden believes Israel needs a new prime minister, Kirby said, “The president believes it’s up to the Israeli people and the Israeli government to determine if and when there’s going to be new elections. But he does — as he said shortly after leader Schumer’s very passionate speech — he recognizes that the leader was speaking for a lot of Americans who feel the same way about the way the war is going.”
This comes as a growing rift between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu has been apparent. In a recent interview, President Biden said that he believed Netanyahu’s current war strategy might be “hurting Israel more than helping,” resulting in pushback from Israeli officials.
