Biden dramatically scales up the pressure on Netanyahu

Islam News – President Joe Biden on Wednesday dramatically escalated his public pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the fighting with Hamas that has stretched into a 10th day, as their decades-long relationship faces a stern test.

The White House said Biden told Netanyahu “that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire” in the raging violence. The statement was a signal Biden is losing patience with Netanyahu, a leader he has known for four decades.
The description of the call — the fourth between President and Prime Minister over the past week — reflected growing concern in the White House over the conflict. Previously, administration officials said their objective was to keep pressure on Israel limited to private conversations. But that appeared to shift after the White House revealed publicly that Biden had set a short deadline for tamping down the violence.

The White House did not specify what would constitute a “significant de-escalation.” And Netanyahu, speaking after visiting an Israel Defense Forces command center Wednesday, said he was “determined to continue this operation until its objective is achieved: to restore quiet and security to you, citizens of Israel.”

On the call, which occurred early Wednesday morning, the President adopted a direct and firm tone, according to a person briefed on the matter. In response, Netanyahu offered Biden no specific pledge to wind down the violence.

Source: CNN