President Joe Biden has reportedly desired an Israeli ceasefire of operation against Hamas, after gowing pressure of leftist Democrats who criticized his support of Israel.
On Monday afternoon President Biden spoke with Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu taking back his support for Israel’s aggressive response in Palestine to Hamas rocket attacks. The Israeli military response against Hamas continued for a second week on Monday.
“The President expressed his support for a ceasefire,” the White House said in a readout of the call with Netanyahu on Monday.
That was different from Biden’s call on Saturday, in which the White House noted Biden “shared his grave concern about the intercommunal violence across Israel” but made no mention of his support for a ceasefire.
On Monday, the Biden administration struggled with their current position on the conflict, as White House press secretary Jen Psaki answered multiple questions about the punishing military operations in Israel. One journalist even asked if Biden believed there were “war crimes” committed by Israel.
“Our approach is to quiet, intensive diplomacy, and that’s where we feel we can be most effective,” Psaki said repeatedly.
Biden spoke to Netanyahu on Monday afternoon as Democrat lawmakers criticized Israel for their attacks against Hamas. Some Democrats even demanded that the Biden administration publicly criticize Israel.
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA), who is Jewish, spearheaded a letter from 28 Senators demanding a ceasefire in the conflict, “to prevent any further loss of civilian life and to prevent further escalation of conflict.”
On social media, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) called for Biden to demonstrate “outrage” that Israel attacked Hamas during Ramadan.
“Where’s the outrage @POTUS?” she wrote.
I was 7 years old when I first prayed at the Al Aqsa with my sity. It's a sacred site for Muslims. This is equivalent to attacking the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians, or the Temple Mount for Jews.
Israel attacks it during Ramadan. Where's the outrage @POTUS? https://t.co/Q4gGBrCOof
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) May 10, 2021
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) also voiced solidarity with the Palestinians.
We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian residents of Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem. Israeli forces are forcing families from their homes during Ramadan and inflicting violence.
It is inhumane and the US must show leadership in safeguarding the human rights of Palestinians.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 8, 2021
“It is inhumane and the US must show leadership in safeguarding the human rights of Palestinians,” she wrote.
