Biden must let Israel finish the job in Gaza
And no doubt, Lebanon next. Meir Ben Shabbat observes:
Update: also of note, Jake Smith reports that a former member of Donald Trump's staff says Biden's reponsible for enabling Islamic terror groups that're now attcking the USA and its allies.
The statements coming out of the White House in which it claimed the US was not calling for a ceasefire in Gaza at this point could not undo the harsh impression left by Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Israel. So too was the attempt to put the normalization talks with Saudi Arabia back on the agenda.Recalling Blinken made a very disgusting statement, saying Israel, "doesn't have the credit" several weeks ago, that's why the administration would do well to stop any interfering steps they've been making. It's just plain unacceptable, and hurts the USA as much as Israel.
The Biden administration understands full well the importance of achieving a resounding victory over Hamas in Gaza. It would like Israel to get it done quickly. However, it has been asking many things from Israel – and by doing so it has only prolonged the path to victory and has been imposing a burden on Israeli shoulders.
Washington has been pressuring Israel to scale back the fighting, significantly increase the scope of humanitarian aid (knowing that most of it reaches Hamas), and launch a process with the UN(!) that will allow the return of the residents of northern Gaza to their homes. All this only exacerbates the operational challenges facing our forces. It also provides a backwind for Hamas by having its leaders hope that they will be able to drag Israel into a war of attrition that will end in an "arrangement."
What's more – the administration's demands also make it harder to secure the release of the captives by alleviating the pressure on Hamas and allowing it to harden its stance.
One cannot sweep under the rug Hamas' tunnels by wishing them away with "regional integration." Likewise, its many arms and the large military force that remains in the area will not simply disappear. The damage Israel has inflicted on Hamas so far is painful but not fatal. After the events of October 7, this cannot suffice.
Even if it takes a long time to achieve the goals – there should be no compromise on that. Even those who struggle to define Gaza as a "Hamas state" understand that as long as there is a strong, organized, and armed core of the terrorist organization there – it will be the central power broker and everything will call the shots.
Jerusalem will have to continue maneuvering between the desire to maintain Biden's support and assistance (for which it deserves appreciation) while heeding the demands it has put forth, which constrain Israel.
Update: also of note, Jake Smith reports that a former member of Donald Trump's staff says Biden's reponsible for enabling Islamic terror groups that're now attcking the USA and its allies.
Labels: anti-semitism, dhimmitude, House of Saud, islam, Israel, jihad, Knesset, military, misogyny, Moonbattery, political corruption, racism, sexual violence, State Dept, terrorism, United States, war on terror
