US Senator says Netanyahu 'played' Biden after Oct. 7: The Guardian
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The Democrat senator suggests making "a hostage deal and an extended ceasefire, and in that moment flood more humanitarian aid into Gaza. If that happens, you’ll see de-escalation in the Red Sea and with Hezbollah... and then we have to have a discussion about a future for Palestine.”
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Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, February 9, 2024 (AP)
Former US vice-presidential nominee and leading foreign policy voice for the Democrats, Tim Kaine, has remarked on the problems between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that Netanyahu "played" Biden during the start of the aggression on Gaza but "that ain’t going to happen anymore."
Speaking with The Guardian on Tuesday, Kaine accused Netanyahu of damaging ties with the US as he joined other Democrats in expressing concern over "Israel's" lunatic and genocidal campaign in Gaza that has now left over 33,000 Palestinians martyred.
Kaine commented, “I do believe he felt like that relationship and the true compassion that he had for Israel over his career would lead him to be listened to by the Israeli leadership. I think he is enormously frustrated that he’s been trying to give advice, not like a foe would give it – ‘I think this is better for you if you listen to me. I’m not just saying this is better for me; I’m saying this will be better for you.’”
The Senator's recent first book, Walk Ride Paddle: A Life Outside, directly criticizes Netanyahu, whom he said has “made Israel dramatically less safe during his long tenure as prime minister”, adding that “He’s going to end up being one of the most successful politicians and most destructive public servants to be on the world stage in the last quarter century, because he’s successful if you measure it by maintaining his own position but, in terms of what he has done that has made Israel less safe and less secure, there’s a real lesson there."
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Kaine noted that “They turned water back on in northern Gaza. They allow bakeries to start to operate again in Palestine. They announced they’re pulling troops back in southern Gaza, and there’s probably more that they’re going to do, because I think he finally heard in Joe Biden’s voice, ‘Yeah, I’m a friend but you played me and I know you played me; that ain’t going to happen anymore.’”
You win some, you lose some?
The Democrat suggests making "a hostage deal and an extended ceasefire, and in that moment flood more humanitarian aid into Gaza. If that happens, you’ll see de-escalation in the Red Sea and with Hezbollah and with the Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria, and then we have to have a discussion about a future for Palestine."
He continues to express that Gaza "is a thousand times more important than the election."
"Donald Trump’s dealing with his own uncommitted. In Virginia, Nikki Haley got 40% of the vote and 60% of voters say there’s no way they’ll vote for Donald Trump. It’s the same in any race. Each side has to make their case to their own and try to recruit some others."
Kaine has raised questions concerning the Biden administration's uncapped transfer of US weaponry to "Israel", along with growing voices of condemnation from within the Democratic Party.
Back in December, Kaine raised questions concerning the Biden administration's uncapped transfer of US weaponry to "Israel", along with growing voices of condemnation from within the Democratic Party.
"Just as Congress has a crucial role to play in all matters of war and peace, Congress should have full visibility over the weapons we transfer to any other nation. Unnecessarily bypassing Congress means keeping the American people in the dark."
He added that the government needs to know the grounds for this decision, which has been made for the second time in December alone.
Biden criticizes 'Israel's' strategy in Gaza
During an interview on Tuesday, Biden criticized Netanyahu's strategy in the war on Gaza, characterizing it as a "mistake" and calling for a ceasefire.
“Well, I will tell you, I think what he’s doing is a mistake. I don’t agree with his approach,” Biden told Univision, in an interview taped just days after the Israeli occupation killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers.
Biden's statement marked one of his strongest criticisms against Netanyahu's government's policy in Gaza. The president emphasized his call for "Israel" to agree to a ceasefire and asserted that there is "no excuse" for not providing humanitarian aid.
Even earlier, Netanyahu rejected an appeal from Biden to put off his planned ground invasion on Rafah, where 1.2 million Palestinians currently reside, telling Israeli members of the Knesset that he was "determined" to eliminate the Palestinian Resistance.
