Binyamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, has consented to dispatch a group of Israeli representatives to Washington in order to deliberate with the Biden administration about a potential operation in Rafah, according to Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser.
The two sides have now reached a stage where they can each understand the other’s standpoint, as indicated by Mr Sullivan. However, the White House remains uncertain about Mr Netanyahu’s intention to implement an operation in Rafah, a southern city which provides refuge to approximately 1.5 million displaced Palestinians. Israel is seeking to eradicate Hamas following their lethal assault on October 7th.
The announcement followed a conversation between President Joe Biden and Mr Netanyahu on Monday, which was their first communication in over a month, as the two allies are divided over the food crisis in Gaza and war conduct.
After Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer heavily critiqued Mr Netanyahu’s management of the Gaza war and demanded a new election for Israel, Republicans in Washington and Israeli officials were incensed. The Democratic leader was accused of violating the unofficial guideline that prevents meddling in the election politics of a close ally.
Although President Biden has not publicly supported Mr Schumer’s call for a new election, he has praised his speech and believes it illustrates the concerns shared by many Americans.
The Biden administration officials have emphasised their refusal to endorse the proposed operation in Rafah, unless Israelis can offer a reliable plan ensuring the well-being of innocent Palestinian civilians. Israel is yet to suggest such a plan, states White House officials.
On Monday, the call from Biden-Netanyahu coincided with the United Nations food agency issuing more grave warnings about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The World Food Programme cautioned that a “famine is imminent” in Northern Gaza, where 70% of the remaining inhabitants are suffering from extreme hunger. Furthermore, a heightened surge in the war could possibly push nearly half of Gaza’s residents towards starvation.
Mr Netanyahu boldly responded to the American reproach on Sunday, labelling the demand for another election as “entirely improper”. Speaking to Fox News Channel, Netanyahu stated that Israel would never have requested a fresh US election following the events of September 11th, 2001, and he castigated Mr Schumer’s statements as improper. “We are not a banana republic,” he declared. “The Israeli public will decide when elections will take place, and who they will vote for, and it’s not a decision that can be thrust upon us.”