That is the second instalment in a two-part sequence about how the administration of President Joe Biden developed its unequivocal help for Israel. To learn half one, click on right here.
Washington, DC – “It’s the price of waging a war.”
These have been Joe Biden’s phrases in late October, when the US president was requested about civilian casualties in war-stricken Gaza.
1000’s of Palestinians had already been killed in Israel’s bombardment of the besieged enclave and United Nations officers have been urging a right away ceasefire amid a deepening humanitarian disaster.
But, as an alternative of calling on Israel to point out extra restraint, Biden – a dedicated supporter of Israel – as an alternative forged doubt on the Gaza dying toll. “I have no notion that the Palestinians are telling the truth about how many people are killed,” he mentioned on October 25.
The alternate was simply one among many episodes because the battle started on October 7 that observers say laid naked an unparalleled stage of US diplomatic and army help for Israel.
The 2 nations have loved sturdy ties for many years beneath each Democratic and Republican presidents, and the US sends Israel not less than $3.8bn in army support annually.
However anger over US overseas coverage has reached a peak amid the Gaza battle because the Biden administration pushes for elevated arms gross sales and support to Israel, regardless of severe human rights considerations over its army marketing campaign.
Greater than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, with UN consultants warning of the potential for famine and genocide.
So what explains Biden’s present stance? Al Jazeera interviewed greater than a dozen consultants, rights advocates and former US officers in regards to the many components that underpin Biden’s present-day actions and his “unwavering” backing of Israel.
“I don’t think there is a short answer to the question, ‘Why does Israel continue to enjoy exceptionalism in US foreign policy?’” mentioned Raed Jarrar, the advocacy director at Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), a suppose tank in Washington, DC.
“There is an all-of-the-above kind of answer.”
On this second instalment of a two-part sequence, we study how historical past, home politics and US technique within the Center East affect the Biden administration’s insurance policies. Partly one, we discover Biden’s private {and professional} ties to Israel and the way his Gaza battle coverage might have an effect on his political future.
“It is very deeply entrenched,” Jarrar mentioned of US-Israel ties.
Israel, he mentioned, has essentially constructed “a very well-oiled machine” – one that may face up to home and worldwide stress even amid the bloodshed in Gaza.