US president’s remarks to Time magazine about PM’s role in conflict draw heavily critical response from Israeli government

US president’s remarks to Time magazine about PM’s role in conflict draw heavily critical response from Israeli government

Joe Biden has said that there is “every reason” to draw the conclusion that Benjamin Netanyahu is prolonging the war in Gaza for his own political self-preservation.

Biden made the remarks about the Israeli prime minister in an interview with Time magazine published on Tuesday morning, drawing a sharp response from the Israeli government, which accused the US president of straying from diplomatic norms.

Netanyahu’s popularity plummeted after the 7 October attack by Hamas, which exposed serious flaws in Israeli security. Most political observers say Netanyahu would lose elections if they were held now, and would be forced into opposition, facing court hearings on corruption charges. But elections have been put off until the war is over, or at least until major military operations are deemed to have been completed.

Time asked Biden whether he believed Netanyahu was “prolonging the war for his own political self-preservation”.

“I’m not going to comment on that,” the president said in response, but added: “There is every reason for people to draw that conclusion.”

  • @disguy_ovaheaEnglish
    -3•6 months ago

    Leahy Law only works if the State Department provides proof of human rights violations. Findings from the ICC or ICJ only matter if they are corroborated in US intelligence. Biden needs to mandate a conclusive reassessment from the State Department to disregard congressional direction.

    • @MaggotyEnglish
      3•6 months ago

      So as far as I know, we don’t need the State Department to acknowledge it. The laws bind State and Defense from sending stuff but that information can come from anywhere. They can stop based on their internal assessment or the President can stop them based on reports from the intelligence community or the ICC.

      • @disguy_ovaheaEnglish
        -2•6 months ago

        Without support of US intelligence or recorded first-hand accounts, he has no defense in an impeachment hearing for taking actions against the advisement of Congress and the State Department. He needs the support of one branch to make a move like this, or he’ll face impeachment by Republicans in Congress.

        He oversees the State Department as they’re part of the Executive Branch. He can mandate reassessment due to new information such as the recent “accidents” by Israel, or disclosure of suppressed information by former employees. It’s his best option other than direct oversight with a ceasefire agreement.

        • @MaggotyEnglish
          1•6 months ago

          Well good thing he has those. And the ICC assessments would work too. Which he also has.

          You think state department returned that finding without asking him first? People are literally quitting that working group and telling the news. This isn’t a deep state thing.

          Biden can shut off the aid any time he wants.

          For a bonus round - how about we see some “strategic voting” by our representatives and Senators? Why are we coddling them? A successful impeachment would basically ensure a Trump victory, and anything less isn’t paid attention because the Republicans cried wolf too many times. So why are we worried about this again?

          • @disguy_ovaheaEnglish
            -2•6 months ago

            ICC statements are not recognized in the US unless included in State Department intelligence reports. POTUS cannot justify action based on them, nor can he use them as defense in an impeachment hearing.

            Again, while he can amend existing agreements whenever he wants, he will have no legal defense for his actions against advisement and legislation of the rest of our government.

            • @MaggotyEnglish
              1•6 months ago

              Oh? Is there a law saying we can’t use ICC evidence? Or is that just inconvenient to your narrative?

              • @disguy_ovaheaEnglish
                -2•6 months ago

                For one, the US did not sign the Rome Statute, therefore the US government does not recognize the ICC as an authority.

                Secondly, the ICC, the ICJ, the UN, news sources, etc. report findings based on evidence. It’s considered hearsay in US court unless the evidence is submitted directly in trial or substantiated by the State Department.

                POTUS must rely on domestic intelligence or recorded first-hand experiences to make decisions. That’s why Biden needs to mandate a reassessment by the State Department.