'Israel' losing int'l support over indiscriminate bombing: Biden

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
12 Dec 2023 21:43
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The US President expressed the view that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must consider a shift in his uncompromising government stance.

President Joe Biden speaks at a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Monday, Dec. 11, 2023 (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, Pool via AP)

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday remarked that "Israel's" indiscriminate bombing of Gaza, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians, is causing a decline in support from the international community.

"They're starting to lose that support," Biden told a campaign fundraising event in Washington.

He also expressed the view that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must consider a shift in his hardline government stance.

Biden stated "This is the most conservative government in Israel's history," adding that the government "doesn't want a two-state solution."

Netanyahu says 'Israel' receives 'full support' of US

Biden's remarks come shortly after Netanyahu said in a video address that the regime received full US support for a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.

"I really appreciate the US support for the destruction of Hamas and the return of our hostages. After intensive discussions with President [of the United States Joe] Biden and his people, we received full support for a ground entry [into the Gaza Strip] and containment of international pressure aimed at ending the war," Netanyahu said.

"Yes, there are disputes about the 'day after Hamas,' and I hope that we will come to an agreement here," Netanyahu said in a video address posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Serious differences on post-war Gaza plans

During a discussion of the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee on Monday, Netanyahu discussed that he was opposed to the Palestinian Authority taking control of the Gaza Strip after the aggression ends, the Israeli Maariv newspaper reported.

"The Palestinian Authority will not be able to control Gaza under any circumstances," the Israeli premier maintained.

"Security responsibility will remain under the State of Israel. The difference between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority is only that Hamas wants to destroy us here and now and the Authority wants to do it in stages," he said despite the PA being recognized by the Israeli occupation as a representative of the Palestinian people.

The Biden administration, on the other hand, has been working on a multi-phase post-war plan for running the Gaza Strip, resulting in the Palestinian Authority gaining control of the besieged strip.

According to a report by Politico, the administration considers the PA the most viable with "significant legitimacy and capability challenges."

They intend to deploy an international force immediately following the war followed by a so-called "revamped" Palestinian Authority taking over long-term control of Gaza.

They also intend to boost security assistance from the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, as well as expand the position of the US security coordinator who advises Palestinian security forces.