Netanyahu Refuses Biden’s Demand to “Significantly De-escalate”

I wrote a couple of days ago about how I think the Biden administration’s silence on the attacks on Israel is not diplomacy as they kept telling us it was.

It’s tacit approval of what is being done to them by Gaza.

And now it’s confirmed.

Today, Biden allegedly demanded that Netanyahu significantly de-escalate.

Did you get that?

He demanded it.

Biden, in call with Netanyahu, sets deadline for ‘significant de-escalation today’ ahead of a cease-fire with Hamas militants https://t.co/uuzcSvvVRz

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) May 19, 2021

And Netanyahu, in effect, said, “Nope.”

Israeli PM Netanyahu Rebuffs Biden’s Push For De-Escalation, Says He’s ‘Determined’ To Continue Operation https://t.co/mSwU1PEvva

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) May 19, 2021

This is what the New York Post reports:

President Biden on Wednesday called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to demand a “significant de-escalation” in Israel’s conflict with Hamas. But Netanyahu said he won’t comply.

Netanyahu instead said that he will forge ahead with Israeli operations against the Islamic fundamentalist group, which last week launched a barrage of rockets from Gaza toward Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

The Israeli leader said in a statement released after the two leaders spoke, “I am determined to continue this operation until its goal is achieved: to bring the quiet and security back to you, the citizens of Israel.”

Now that’s a strong leader of a sovereign nation.

Unlike our “leader” who, everyone knew, would eventually cave to the pressure of the squad and others.

According to ABC 6:

Biden’s latest call for an end to the violence followed mounting pressure from Democrats and Republicans to take an assertive stance. Many progressives are seeking a more active U.S. role in curbing the Israeli offensive, but Republicans have accused Biden of being insufficiently supportive of a vital ally.

The president was greeted by pro-Palestinian protests when he arrived in Dearborn, Michigan Tuesday to visit an electric vehicle plant. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., the first woman of Palestinian descent in Congress, confronted Biden over Israel’s “atrocities” on the tarmac after Air Force One landed in Detroit.

“Congresswoman Tlaib reiterated that the status quo is enabling more killing, that the current U.S. approach of unconditional support for the Israeli government is not working, and that the White House must do far more to protect Palestinian lives, dignity, and human rights,” an aide to Tlaib told NPR.

…

Biden, who has known Netanyahu for almost 30 years, has reportedly grown more firm in his tone in private as the violence persists. It is unclear how much sway he has in the short-term, though, and the embattled prime minister has domestic political factors to consider, as well.

“For public opinion and image reasons, Netanyahu must show resolve against Hamas regardless of pressure from the U.S., but this resolve cannot last forever without increasing international criticism about Israeli attacks and a high number of Palestinian civilian casualties,” said Krista Wiegand, director of the global security program at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Netanyahu ‘determined’ to continue Gaza bombardment.
Netanyahu NOT defying Biden or the US its Greatest ally but doing what's right to protect its citizens from Islamic terror. Palestinians who danced at 9/11 want a wedge between US & Israel.

— Linga (@Linga95107081) May 19, 2021

#Netanyahu Warns #Biden: Israel Calls the Shots in War with #Hamas, Not US | United with Israel https://t.co/9eE51orDXk pic.twitter.com/BVZuuZ8LTP

— Eli Dror (@edrormba) May 19, 2021

When asked about Israel, Biden refused to answer. Instead, he joked that he would run the reporter down with the electric car he was testing.

The press giggled in delight.

According to Business Insider:

As President Joe Biden on Tuesday test-drove Ford’s new electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck, he joked that he would run over a reporter asking about Israel.

“Mr. President, can I ask you a quick question on Israel before you drive away, since it’s so important?” a reporter said.

“No, you can’t — not unless you get in front of the car as I step on it. I’m only teasing,” Biden said, with laughter heard in the background. Then he floored the vehicle and drove away, to the apparent delight of the reporters nearby.

Here’s the video:

REPORTER: Can I ask you a question on Israel?

BIDEN: No, you can't. Not unless you get in front of the car as I step on it…

REPORTERS laugh & cheer Biden as he drives away. https://t.co/4WYPE0NwDE pic.twitter.com/8GKfoY4q9r

— Matt Orfalea (@0rf) May 18, 2021

While the press giggles and Biden makes jokes, Israel continues to fight for its survival.

ABC 6 continues:

According to The Associated Press, Biden administration officials have been more forceful behind the scenes in encouraging Israel to wind down the offensive against Hamas, warning that international objections would rise as the violence drags on. However, Israeli officials have countered the airstrikes are necessary to weaken Hamas’ military capabilities.

The U.S. blocked a proposed U.N. Security Council statement expressing concern about civilian deaths during the fighting. U.S. officials determined private pressure would be more effective than public demands, but France and other nations are preparing a new resolution calling for a ceasefire, as some question whether the U.S. diplomatic strategy is working.

“If the Biden administration can exert all of their pressure to bring an end to the aggression against our people, nobody is going to stand in their way,” Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the U.N., said Tuesday.

We wish Israel every success as they stand up for their sovereignty even as their closest allies, the US, turn their backs on them.

May God protect them.