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.”

  • @MaggotyEnglish
    1•25 days 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•25 days 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•25 days ago

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

        • @disguy_ovaheaEnglish
          -2•24 days 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.

          • @MaggotyEnglish
            2•24 days ago

            Good thing the Congress isn’t a court. That was made obvious the last ten million times they tried to impeach a president in the last 15 years. And it doesn’t matter whether the US recognizes the ICC’s jurisdiction or not. That’s a credible accusation. That’s all the Leahy Law requires. Unless you care to make an argument that the ICC isn’t a credible organization?