GlobalWide News
Time: President Joe Biden has emerged as possibly the most pro-Israel president in U.S. history. His reaction to the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7 exemplifies this stance. He has openly expressed his solidarity with Israel and supports their aggressive approach. Unprecedented in U.S. history, Biden joined Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s war cabinet during a visit to Israel, demonstrating a deeper political and strategic commitment than his predecessors.
Historically, U.S. presidents have balanced geopolitical and domestic political considerations in their approach to Arab-Israeli conflicts. Biden’s approach, however, is more direct and unreserved, and it seems less aligned with traditional U.S. strategy or his own political needs.
The piece contrasts Biden’s actions with past presidents like Truman, who withheld military aid to Israel to avoid alienating Arab states, and Eisenhower, who pressured Israel to retreat from Sinai in 1957. Lyndon Johnson, while supportive of Israel, maintained a diplomatic distance during conflicts. Nixon, despite his strong support for Israel in 1973, saw the conflict through the lens of the Cold War.
In contrast, Biden has taken a different approach. He has not only provided material support but has also politically aligned himself closely with Israel, particularly in the recent conflict with Hamas. This alignment has led to criticism and concerns about Biden’s apparent disregard for the strategic and political implications, including the impact on U.S. credibility in dealing with Russia’s actions in Ukraine and potential alienation among younger, more diverse Americans sympathetic to the Palestinians.
Biden’s challenge now is to balance his unequivocal support for Israel with the broader implications of his stance, both domestically and internationally, as he navigates the complex dynamics of Middle Eastern politics.
The entire article can be read at the link https://time.com/6340511/biden-israel-history/
