By Rebecca Shabad —NBC News
President Joe Biden on Tuesday made his harshest criticism yet of the Israeli government since the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack, saying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a "tough decision to make."
Biden made the remarks at an off-camera campaign reception in Washington on Tuesday afternoon, suggesting that Netanyahu's government is standing in the way of a long-term solution.
"I think he has to change, and with this government, this government in Israel is making it very difficult for him to move," he said.
The president said that far-right members of the Israeli government, such as National Security Minister Ben Gvir, do not want a two-state solution with the Palestinians and that changes must be made in the government. "This is the most conservative government in the history of Israel," Biden said.
The US president warned that Israel is beginning to lose support in Europe and around the world due to its military offensive against Hamas in Gaza, and the rising number of civilian deaths. The president reiterated that Israel can learn from the mistakes the U.S. made after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
[Why the war between Israel and Hamas is sending the price of gold soaring]
At the same time, Biden said Hamas must be held accountable for its actions on Oct. 7.
He also spoke about the conflict in the Middle East during a Hanukkah reception at the White House on Monday night.
"I have no doubts about it, I have had my differences with some Israeli leaders. I've known Bibi for 51 years," he said. "We have to be careful. Global public opinion can change overnight."
Biden said many of those attending the reception know someone directly or indirectly who has been affected by the Oct. 7 attack, or by Israel's response.
"As I said after the attack, my commitment to the security of the Jewish people, the security of Israel and its right to exist as an independent state is unwavering," he said. "Friends, if there were no Israel, there would not be a Jew in the world who was safe."
Gaza's Health Ministry said Tuesday that more than 18,000 people have died in the territory since Oct. 7.
Meanwhile, Israeli military officials say 97 of their soldiers were killed during the fighting in the Strip, which came in response to Hamas terrorists killing about 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostages.
As the death toll mounted, calls for a ceasefire grew. The U.S. on Friday vetoed a U.N. resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, and U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood said the resolution would "only plant the seeds for the next war."
A temporary humanitarian pause was in place last month as part of an agreement to exchange hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners. The truce lasted seven days, after which Israel and Hamas blamed each other for breaking it down.