Netanyahu’s speech exposes the Biden-Israel Divide

In a highly charged address to the Knesset plenum on November 18, 2024, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu laid bare the internal struggles between Israel and the Biden Administration over the ongoing Israeli war on terror. Speaking on the cusp of President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, Netanyahu’s remarks highlighted key moments where US pressure directly clashed with Israel’s strategic objectives, exposing a rift that shaped the conflict’s trajectory.

Netanyahu revealed that President Joe Biden’s approach consistently misaligned with Israel’s priorities. In Gaza, Washington had urged restraint, prioritizing ceasefires and humanitarian corridors while emphasizing de-escalation to avoid broader regional fallout. This was at odds with Israel’s goal of dismantling Hamas entirely—a stance Netanyahu insisted was non-negotiable for Israel’s long-term security. The Biden administration, Netanyahu implied, misunderstood the stakes and often acted as though both sides could be treated equally in diplomatic overtures.

One particularly contentious point was Biden’s public pressure for operational pauses to allow for hostage negotiations, which Israel saw as jeopardizing its military momentum. Equally contentious was Biden’s opposition to the ground offensive in Rafah, a critical military operation where Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was ultimately killed on October 16, 2024. The operation proved pivotal, with Sinwar’s elimination marking a significant blow to Hamas leadership. Despite Israeli forces being in close proximity to his hideout in Rafah, it was a coordinated effort involving drone surveillance and intensive ground maneuvers that led to his death, a triumph hailed by Netanyahu. However, the US Administration had pushed back against such aggressive operations, citing concerns over an allegedly disproportionate impact in Gaza. Furthermore, the White House’s reluctance to unconditionally back Israel’s campaign raised concerns in Jerusalem about Washington’s wavering commitment to Israel’s existential fight against Iran-backed proxies.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also pressed Israel to avoid further escalating military operations in Lebanon. US pressure, Netanyahu explained, added complexity to Israel’s strategic calculations in the fight against Hezbollah.

This Knesset speech served not just as a critique of Biden but also as a reflection on a pattern of friction between Netanyahu and the Biden White House. Biden’s efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal, perceived as a dangerous concession to Tehran, were a source of early tension. For Israel, this approach signaled a disregard for its security concerns, particularly as Iran accelerated its support for terror groups across the region. The Biden Administration’s preference for diplomacy over deterrence, coupled with a hesitance to confront Iran’s regional ambitions, further strained relations.

This strained dynamic contrasted with the policies of the first Trump Administration, during which Israel enjoyed unparalleled support. Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the subsequent relocation of the US embassy underscored an unyielding commitment to Israeli sovereignty. Trump also took a significant step in recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, while the Abraham Accords, brokered with US backing, reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, normalizing relations between Israel and key Arab states. Trump’s unequivocal stance against Iran, characterized by the maximum pressure campaign and the killing of Qassem Soleimani, aligned closely with Israel’s strategic objectives.

The convergence of US and Israeli interests under Trump fostered a sense of partnership that was absent during Biden’s tenure. As Netanyahu noted, the Abraham Accords created a new axis of cooperation between Israel and Arab nations, united by mutual concerns over Iran’s regional ambitions. The potential for renewed alignment with a second Trump Administration comes at a critical time when Middle Eastern geopolitics remain volatile. Israel sees an opportunity to capitalize on shared goals with the United States, including countering Tehran’s influence, securing energy corridors, and stabilizing ties with Gulf nations, in anticipation of Saudi Arabia’s accession to the Abraham Accords.

Netanyahu’s speech carried a deeper message: Israel cannot afford to falter in its pursuit of security and sovereignty. As the Prime Minister emphasized, hesitation in geopolitics often leads to disaster. With Trump set to re-enter the Oval Office, Netanyahu’s words are a reminder that bold, decisive action remains the cornerstone of Israel’s survival in an ever-shifting Middle East. As Churchill wisely observed, “In war, resolution; in defeat, defiance.”

As Netanyahu puts it, Israel cannot afford to tiptoe when the stakes demand a march—a philosophy perfectly aligned with Trump, who embraces sharp power and bold moves. Now, with two kings on the board, the Middle East’s chess game is poised for anything but a stalemate.