President Biden and other senior U.S. officials are becoming increasingly frustrated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rejection of most of the administration’s recent requests related to the war in Gaza, four U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the issue told Axios.

Why it matters: Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack 100 days ago, Biden has given Israel his full backing, with unprecedented military and diplomatic support, even while taking a political hit from part of his base in an election year. That support has largely continued publicly, but behind the scenes, there are growing signs that Biden is losing his patience, the U.S. officials said.

  • “The situation sucks and we are stuck. The president’s patience is running out,” one U.S. official told Axios.
  • “At every juncture, Netanyahu has given Biden the finger,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who has been in close contact with U.S. officials about the war, told Axios. “They are pleading with the Netanyahu coalition, but getting slapped in the face over and over again.”

Behind the scenes: Biden hasn’t spoken to Netanyahu in the 20 days since a tense Dec. 23 call, which a frustrated Biden ended with the words: “This conversation is over.” They had spoken almost every other day in the first two months of the war.

  • Before Biden hung up, Netanyahu had rejected his request that Israel release the Palestinian tax revenues it’s withholding.
  • National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby tried to downplay the decrease in communication, telling reporters on Wednesday that “it doesn’t say anything” about the state of the relationship.
  • But more and more signs of irritation are emerging. “There is immense frustration,” a U.S. official said.
  • GodlessCommie
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    109 months ago

    I vote for no one needlessly dying anywhere.

      • GodlessCommie
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        -359 months ago

        More people have died, lost their homes, lost their cars, lost wages, a lot more loss in general under Biden. If you dont want trump then you better start pushing for party to primary Biden

        • Flying Squid
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          139 months ago

          Unemployment when Trump left office - 6.3%

          Unemployment today- 3.7%

          Seems to me like more people with jobs means less people losing those things under Biden.

          • @[email protected]
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            fedilink
            139 months ago

            Their feelings are more valid than your facts… I couldn’t believe I was hearing such non sense from senior Republicans but they were right about their base.

          • GodlessCommie
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            -49 months ago

            Unemployment level is meaningless if there’s no livable wage. Taking 1 full time job and creating 2 part-time is not job growth, and that’s exactly what’s been happening. How many of those shitty no benefit jobs are being held by one person?

            • Flying Squid
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              79 months ago

              You tell me. You’re clearly the expert here.

            • @HerrBeter
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              29 months ago

              The banks and the rich are squeezing every dime they can out of American working class, but the probable GOP nominee is the absolute wrong way to curb it.

              Remember for example when he stole medical supplies and gave them to his criminal friends, who could then resell them for a higher price? During a pandemic…

              • GodlessCommie
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                -49 months ago

                Medical supplies are your red line, not genocide?

                • @HerrBeter
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                  49 months ago

                  What a great straw man! Thankfully it isn’t Biden himself pulling the trigger, nonetheless any GOP candidate is simply not an option.

                  • GodlessCommie
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                    -39 months ago

                    So if Biden is in the clear for not pulling the trigger, Trump should be in the clear for insurrection for not actually storming the capital right?

          • HACKthePRISONS
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            -59 months ago

            the unemployment statistic only counts people who file for unemployment, and in 2020, a lot of us were able to pull $1200 a week with no look-for-work requirement.

            i don’t think this is a fair comparison.

        • RubberDuck
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          129 months ago

          I’d ask you for a source on this nonsense but then who are we kidding right?

        • theprogressivist
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          39 months ago

          Lol, and who do you suggest we primary against Biden? I’ll wait.

          • GodlessCommie
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            -49 months ago

            we primary

            As if the voters have any say in who their party nominates or appoints

            • theprogressivist
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              59 months ago

              Way to not answer the question. Typical, though, complain but provide absolutely no alternatives or solutions.

              • GodlessCommie
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                -59 months ago

                My solution is quit supporting the systems that’s holding back progress for the working class. But liberals create an environment where both they and the systems of oppression are obstacles to progress.

    • RubberDuck
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      79 months ago

      Sure, I would too if it where in the table as an option. But alas, it seems it is not. I would venture a guess to say that the Biden administration would also take that option if it where available… But it seems to be a quagmire of unreasonable actors.