U.S. President Joe Biden reassured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their recent conversation that he harbors no intention of undermining Netanyahu’s leadership, according to two sources familiar with the call, as reported by Axios on Tuesday.
During their discussion on Monday, Netanyahu expressed his concerns regarding Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s endorsement of early elections in Israel and Biden’s subsequent support for Schumer’s stance.
Netanyahu argued that public criticism against him in the United States constitutes interference in Israeli domestic affairs, the sources revealed.
In response, Biden countered by affirming that his actions did not destabilize Netanyahu’s position and clarified that he had no intention of meddling in Israeli politics. One of the sources noted that the conversation helped to alleviate some tensions between the two leaders.
While neither the Prime Minister’s Office nor the White House offered official comments, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan addressed Netanyahu’s concerns during a press briefing on Monday.
Sullivan acknowledged that Netanyahu had raised “his concerns about a variety of things that have come out in the American press” during the call.
He refrained from discussing specific issues to respect the confidentiality of the conversation and allow Netanyahu to speak for himself.
Schumer’s recent speech on the Senate floor, advocating for early elections in Israel and criticizing some of Netanyahu’s senior Cabinet members, has stirred controversy.
The speech prompted Netanyahu to denounce Schumer’s demands as “ridiculous” in an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union.”
Netanyahu likened Schumer’s remarks to suggesting that President George W. Bush should resign following the 9/11 attacks, arguing that such interference in the affairs of a democratic ally is inappropriate.
Despite ongoing scrutiny of Netanyahu’s leadership, a recent survey revealed that a majority of Jewish Israelis continue to support his key policies, including opposition to the two-state solution and the IDF’s efforts to combat Hamas in Rafah.
Concerns over deteriorating U.S.-Israel relations have intensified, particularly in light of the impending IDF offensive in Rafah, Hamas’ stronghold in Gaza.
Biden expressed his reluctance to support a major military operation in Rafah during his call with Netanyahu, advocating instead for a more limited operation targeting high-value terrorist targets and securing the Gaza-Egypt border.
Netanyahu remains steadfast in his determination to eliminate Hamas battalions in Rafah, as he reiterated during a closed-door parliamentary committee meeting on Tuesday.
In response to Biden’s request, Netanyahu announced that his trusted associates, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, would travel to Washington to discuss the operation.
They will be accompanied by an official from the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), who is responsible for civilian affairs in the territories.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is also reportedly planning a separate visit to the United States to address the impending IDF operation in Rafah. Gallant’s visit would mark his first trip since the Oct. 7 attacks, signaling the seriousness of the situation.
