Even after the start of the ground operation, the US administration continues to support Israel in the campaign against Hamas. President Biden and other administration officials emphasize repeatedly that Israel has the right and duty to protect its citizens. In response to the increasing criticism in the United States with regard to harm to civilians in the Gaza Strip, the administration has adhered to its approach that this is not the time for a ceasefire, except for the possibility of a humanitarian lull. The spokesperson for the National Security Council, John Kirby, emphasized that Israel unequivocally strives to avoid civilian casualties. Kirby even strongly rejected the comparison between the killing of Ukrainian citizens by Russia and civilian injuries caused during IDF operations in the Gaza Strip. According to the White House spokesperson, while Russia directly targets civilians and civilian infrastructure, Israel does not.
Nonetheless, the administration faces criticism and difficult questions from some Democratic legislators, the media, and public opinion, regarding its determination to support Israel. Surveys conducted in the United States indicate that the President is losing support, mainly among young people and the Muslim public.
Against this background, Israel is right to allow the expansion of humanitarian aid to the Strip, in part in response to a clear demand made by President Biden from day one of the campaign. This issue is critical in the eyes of the administration, and it demands to ensure that not only will the aid not be at risk, but will also be expanded and include the supply of fuel. Moreover, assuming that Israel's political space for action is conditioned first and foremost by the position of the US administration, great attention should also be paid to the other US demands, which focus on the situation in the West Bank and the desire to sketch a political horizon for the post-war reality. Headed by President Biden, the administration's senior spokespersons are demanding that Israel take measures to protect Palestinians in this theater from violence by extremists among Israeli settlers and bring the attackers to justice – as well as anyone who stands by and does not prevent the violence, including IDF soldiers. The administration rejects any deliberate attempt to weaken the Palestinian Authority, such as freezing funds that are due to it according to the agreements it has with Israel. In the administration's view, the PA is destined to play a central role on “the day after,” including in the Gaza Strip. In this context President Biden has already stated that there should be no return to the status quo that prevailed in the Israeli-Palestinian arena on the eve of the outbreak of war, implying not only in the Gaza Strip, but in the entire arena. In its view, the new reality should be shaped on the basis of the promotion of a political process.
Even after the start of the ground operation, the US administration continues to support Israel in the campaign against Hamas. President Biden and other administration officials emphasize repeatedly that Israel has the right and duty to protect its citizens. In response to the increasing criticism in the United States with regard to harm to civilians in the Gaza Strip, the administration has adhered to its approach that this is not the time for a ceasefire, except for the possibility of a humanitarian lull. The spokesperson for the National Security Council, John Kirby, emphasized that Israel unequivocally strives to avoid civilian casualties. Kirby even strongly rejected the comparison between the killing of Ukrainian citizens by Russia and civilian injuries caused during IDF operations in the Gaza Strip. According to the White House spokesperson, while Russia directly targets civilians and civilian infrastructure, Israel does not.
Nonetheless, the administration faces criticism and difficult questions from some Democratic legislators, the media, and public opinion, regarding its determination to support Israel. Surveys conducted in the United States indicate that the President is losing support, mainly among young people and the Muslim public.
Against this background, Israel is right to allow the expansion of humanitarian aid to the Strip, in part in response to a clear demand made by President Biden from day one of the campaign. This issue is critical in the eyes of the administration, and it demands to ensure that not only will the aid not be at risk, but will also be expanded and include the supply of fuel. Moreover, assuming that Israel's political space for action is conditioned first and foremost by the position of the US administration, great attention should also be paid to the other US demands, which focus on the situation in the West Bank and the desire to sketch a political horizon for the post-war reality. Headed by President Biden, the administration's senior spokespersons are demanding that Israel take measures to protect Palestinians in this theater from violence by extremists among Israeli settlers and bring the attackers to justice – as well as anyone who stands by and does not prevent the violence, including IDF soldiers. The administration rejects any deliberate attempt to weaken the Palestinian Authority, such as freezing funds that are due to it according to the agreements it has with Israel. In the administration's view, the PA is destined to play a central role on “the day after,” including in the Gaza Strip. In this context President Biden has already stated that there should be no return to the status quo that prevailed in the Israeli-Palestinian arena on the eve of the outbreak of war, implying not only in the Gaza Strip, but in the entire arena. In its view, the new reality should be shaped on the basis of the promotion of a political process.