The United States administration is facing internal challenges as it tries to navigate the complex situation between Israel and Palestine, coinciding with a pronounced wavering in approval rates on policy matters. The ongoing crisis facing the two territories is putting pressure on US President Biden to urge Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to lessen the intensity of the conflict. Despite the pressure, Netanyahu remains firmly entrenched in his decisions, seeking to ensure Israel's safety and security for years to come, beyond Biden's term.
Details emerged of a significant shift within the administration, as Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly applied pressure on President Biden to show more sensitivity towards Palestinian civilians. According to a Politico article featuring insights from three anonymous sources, Harris has proposed that the US take a tougher stance on Netanyahu’s government while promoting long-term peace and a two-state solution.
The Vice President was also reported as encouraging a shift in focus toward the procurement of aid for war-torn Gaza and the development of plans to handle the aftermath of the conflict. The response from the White House was decidedly dismissive, dismissing the insinuation of any significant difference in opinions between the President and Vice President. However, the leakers' intentions remained unclear, as it could potentially paint a flattering image of the Vice-President or the administration as a whole.
Overarching in this narrative are the clear, yet puzzling, internal divisions within the White House affecting the administration’s larger policy goals. Reports indicate that staffers and interns protested against their own policies, raising questions about the levels of unity and harmony within the administration. This internal disarray underscores the anxieties within ranks amidst the increasingly volatile Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Amidst all this, Netanyahu remains resilient on his objective to eradicate Hamas, underlining the dilemma Washington faces as it seeks an elusive equilibrium in a volatile political landscape.
