Joe Biden estimated on Saturday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
was “doing more harm than good to Israel”
by his conduct of the war in Gaza, also making ambiguous remarks on the question of a
“red line”
that would set Americans.
“He has the right to defend Israel, the right to continue attacking Hamas. But he must pay more attention to the innocent lives lost because of the actions taken,”
demanded the American president in an interview with the MSNBC channel, adding:
“In my opinion, he is doing more harm than good to Israel”
.
Joe Biden was asked during this interview about the existence of a
“red line”
that Israel should not cross in its offensive, and the journalist asked him in particular if a massive Israeli offensive in Rafah, in the south of Palestinian territory, would be one.
“I want to see a ceasefire”
“It’s a red line
,” says the 81-year-old Democrat, who immediately adds:
“I will never abandon Israel.
Defending Israel remains of extreme importance.
There is no red line where I want to completely stop arms deliveries”
and the Israelis would then no longer be
“protected by the Iron Dome”
.
American aid is crucial for the operation of this defensive system allowing the interception of rockets and missiles.
Joe Biden adds, however, in the process:
“There are red lines... It is not possible that 30,000 more Palestinians die.”
The American president is also evasive on the possibility of a new visit to Israel, where he went in October shortly after the deadly Hamas attack, and which would include a speech to Parliament.
“Should you do this?”
the journalist asks him.
“Yes
,” replies Joe Biden, but without saying anything more, and without specifying whether he was invited.
The American president no longer hides his frustration with the head of the Israeli government.
Read alsoAs the situation in Gaza worsens day by day, Israel fears being ostracized by nations
On Thursday, after a speech to Congress, microphones picked up an informal conversation in which he declared, regarding the need to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza:
“He's going to have to get it into his head. »
“I want to see a cease-fire
,” said Joe Biden, specifying that he was talking about a cessation of hostilities for six weeks to begin with.