Biden team weighed speech to hurt Netanyahu after ceasefire deal failed: report

A recent bombshell report on an Israeli TV news show has revealed shocking discussions among Biden officials about potentially triggering an election in Israel to defeat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The ultimate goal was to push President Joe Biden’s ceasefire deal in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. However, the plan was ultimately blocked by the president himself.

According to the report on Israel’s Channel 13 show “HaMakor,” the idea of working against Netanyahu started circulating within the Biden administration after the collapse of the first ceasefire deal in the Israel-Hamas war. Ilan Goldenberg, Biden’s Middle East advisor, disclosed that there were talks about Biden giving a speech directly to the Israeli public, presenting two options. The first option would involve ending the war, getting hostages released, and potentially negotiating with Hamas. The second option would be to continue the conflict, leading to more casualties and a prolonged conflict.

Goldenberg explained that the intention behind this strategy was to either force Netanyahu to comply with the ceasefire deal or disrupt Israeli politics by triggering elections. However, Biden ultimately decided against going directly against Netanyahu in such a manner.

The report also shed light on the strained relationship between Biden and Netanyahu, with past clashes and tensions affecting their diplomatic interactions. Tom Nides, former U.S. ambassador to Israel, highlighted Biden’s lack of trust in Netanyahu and the prime minister’s manipulative tactics. Tensions escalated over issues like judicial reform and Netanyahu’s rejection of U.S. plans for Gaza’s future.

Despite the public statements of support, Arab leaders were quietly backing Israel’s efforts to defeat Hamas, according to Dan Shapiro, former deputy assistant secretary of Defense. Additionally, discussions were held about advancing normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia during the transition period, with potential support from both Democrats and Republicans.

The report’s findings underscore the complexities and challenges in U.S.-Israeli relations, especially during times of conflict and political turmoil. The personal dynamics between leaders can significantly impact diplomatic efforts and strategic decisions. The revelations from the report provide valuable insights into the behind-the-scenes discussions and strategies within the Biden administration regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict and the relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu.