President Joe Biden said he is not sure if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is withdrawing from the agreement to stop Gaza in order to influence the American elections that will be held next month.
He was asked the question during a surprise press conference at the White House on Friday, telling reporters: “Whether he’s trying to influence the election, I don’t know – but I don’t count on that.”
Biden then directed harsh words to his longtime partner: “No administration has helped Israel more than I have.” Nothing, nothing, nothing,” he said. “And I think [Netanyahu] you have to remember that.”
Some Democrats have expressed concern that Netanyahu is ignoring the US president’s calls to negotiate a cease-fire agreement and release hostages to hurt the party’s chances in November.
Earlier this week, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy told CNN: “I don’t think you have to be a pessimistic cynic to read some of the actions of Israel, some of the actions of Prime Minister Netanyahu, that are connected to the American election.”
Polls suggest escalating violence in the Middle East and the failure to find a diplomatic deal hurt Biden and his Democratic successor, Kamala Harris.
The president’s approval rating among Arab-Americans has fallen in the past year, largely due to anger over US support for Israel’s military campaign, and this could hurt. the team’s hopes for November.
Biden has been calling for a peace deal between Israel and Hamas for months, and has repeatedly indicated that it is close. A pre-election deal would have a big impact on the president and the Democratic Party but it looks unlikely.
While the Biden administration has heavily criticized Hamas for failing to reach an agreement, the president has also voiced public frustration with Netanyahu, who said recently he said he is not doing enough to make a deal.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, dismissed suggestions from Washington that a deal was imminent.
“Hamas does not have a deal. There is no deal, unfortunately,” the Israeli prime minister said earlier this month, hours after a US official said it was 90% complete.
The strained relationship between Biden and Netanyahu, who have known each other for years, contrasts with the friendly relationship the Israeli leader had with former president Donald Trump, who is now the Republican nominee.
Meanwhile, Israel continued its offensive in Gaza and continued its ground offensive in southern Lebanon. It also vowed to respond to an Iranian ballistic missile attack this week.
In his appearance at a press conference on Friday, which shocked the reporters in the room as it was the first time since he became president four years ago, Biden responded with concern that Israel might strike Iran’s oil fields in retaliation.
“The Israelis have not yet decided what they will do with the strike,” he said. “If I were in their shoes, I would think of other ways than hitting the oil fields.”
Biden caused oil prices to rise on Thursday there he said the US is negotiating with Israel that there could be strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure.