President Biden said Thursday that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are headed for a “come-to-Jesus meeting” regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, according to an audio clip of the president’s remarks posted on social media on Friday.
Mr. Biden’s comments underscored rising tensions between him and Mr. Netanyahu in recent weeks, as the civilian death toll in Gaza has risen uncontrollably and Mr. Biden has been under political pressure at home and abroad to do more to force Israel to agree to a cease-fire.
In recent days, Mr. Biden expressed hope that at least a six-week ceasefire agreement would be reached by Ramadan, the Muslim holy month that begins in a few days. But Israel and Hamas have reached an impasse in negotiations to return vulnerable hostages taken in the October 7 attack on Israel in exchange for a permanent cease-fire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. .
On Friday, when reporters asked whether a deal could still be reached in Ramadan, Mr. Biden said, “It looks difficult.”
The president’s earlier “come to Jesus” comments were caught on a hot microphone during what Mr. Biden thought was a private exchange with Senator Michael Bennet, Democrat of Colorado, after the State of the Union address.
According to a recording of the conversation, Mr. Bennet urged the president to “continue to push” the issue of humanitarian assistance to Gaza as Israel fights its war against Hamas, a war in which the United States has provided of funds and weapons.
“I said to her, ‘Bibi’ – don’t repeat this – I said, ‘You and I are going to have a meeting with Jesus,'” Mr. Biden said, referring to the prime minister by his nickname.
Mr. informed Biden by an aide who still had his microphone on and was recording the conversation. “I’m on the hot mic here?” Mr. Biden said. “Good. That’s good.”
Mr. Biden just used his prime-time address to Congress to forcefully call on Israel to reduce civilian casualties and allow more food, medicine and other aid to the besieged enclave. Gaza health authorities say 30,000 have been killed in Israel’s offensive in Gaza, most of them civilians. Millions of residents have been displaced, and hundreds of thousands more face starvation.
“Israel also has a primary responsibility, however, to protect innocent civilians in Gaza,” Mr. Biden said in his speech. “This war has taken a greater toll on innocent civilians than all previous wars in Gaza combined.”
Mr. Biden strongly supported Israel’s right to attack Gaza after Hamas fighters crossed the border on Oct. 7 and killed more than 1,200 Israelis, according to Israeli authorities, in border towns, while carrying out atrocities and hostages.
The United States continues to arm Israel and block UN resolutions calling for a cease-fire, supporting Mr. Netanyahu’s assertion that a permanent cease-fire would be a victory for Hamas, which the United States as a terrorist group.
But the civilian toll in Israel’s bombing campaign, along with rising levels of hunger and disease in Gaza, has sparked international outrage, and growing calls for the United States to use its influence in Israel to conduct a ceasefire. At home, Mr. Biden faces a rebellion on the issue from left-leaning Democrats and Arab Americans who are crucial to his winning coalition in 2020, especially in the battleground state of Michigan.
Mr. Biden’s speech on Thursday seemed aimed at partially mending those fences. He also announced that the US military would build a floating pier off Gaza.
“To the leadership of Israel, I say this: Humanitarian aid cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip,” Mr. Biden said in his speech. “Protecting and saving innocent lives must be a priority.”
Mr. Biden cryptically acknowledged his comment to Senator Bennet when asked about it before boarding Air Force One on Friday. “I didn’t say that in the speech,” he said. But when asked about the comments after the speech, Mr. Biden told reporters, “You’re listening to things.”
