According to witnesses, the US president is fed up with the Israeli leader, calling him a “f*ing bad guy” among other things.
The reason for this is that Netanyahu is perceived as defiant and ignoring American requests and recommendations regarding the war in Gaza – at the same time as there is increasing pressure in the US to bring a quick end to the conflict.
The US is and seems to remain Israel’s most important financier and ally, even during the ongoing war in Gaza. However, according to White House sources, President Joe Biden is very tired of the Israeli Prime Minister and his actions during the conflict. Unofficially, the president even exclaimed that Netanyahu is a “f—ing bad guy,” according to unnamed sources who spoke to Politico.
It has also been reported that Joe Biden no longer returns Netanyahu’s phone calls – although they used to speak almost daily. However, Biden’s spokesman Andrew Bates denies that the president said anything of the sort, claiming instead that their relationship is “respectful in public and in private”.
The Biden administration has donated and sold hundreds of millions of dollars worth of weapons to Israel since October 7 – and continues to provide diplomatic support to the country during the ongoing invasion. At the same time, there is reportedly strong resentment that Netanyahu is seen to be ignoring US calls to reduce the intensity of the war and instead is acting contrary to US recommendations.
It is not unlikely that the US will now use the arms shipments as leverage to get Israel to back down.
“Bibi is toxic”
According to Politico, some Democrats, such as Vice President Kamala Harris, also believe that the US’s almost limitless support for Israel’s war could cost them many votes in the 2024 elections – especially among young Americans, who may instead vote for a third party and allow Donald Trump to win and become the next president.
A recent YouGov poll found that 50% of respondents who identified themselves as Biden voters considered Israel’s invasion “genocide”, and Harris also reportedly believes the US should provide more aid to civilians in Gaza.
Even in broader Democratic circles, there is reportedly a view that the war in Gaza must end very soon, with one unnamed congressman describing it as a “political disaster”.
– It was unanimous that this [Israel-Hamas] war needed to end now and that Biden needed to stand up to Bibi. The base is really pissed – and it’s not just the leftists. I have never seen such a depth of anguish as I’ve seen over this Gaza issue. Bibi is toxic among many Democratic voters and Biden must distance himself from him – yesterday, the congressman said.
