U.S. President Joe Biden and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held their first phone call in over a month, amid ongoing tensions between the two leaders over the Netanyahu administration's handling of the Gaza crisis, which has become under global criticism for committing genocide and war crimes against Palestinians.
The call comes after Republicans in Washington and Israeli officials were quick to express outrage after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sharply criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza and called for Israel to hold new elections. They accused the Democratic leader of breaking the unwritten rule against interfering in a close ally’s electoral politics.
Biden hasn't endorsed Schumer's call for election but said he thought he gave a "good speech” that reflected the concerns of many Americans.
The White House has been skeptical of Netanyahu's plan of carrying out an operation in the southern city of Rafah, to which more than a 1 million displaced Palestinians have fled, as Israel looks to eliminate Hamas following Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 attack. Biden administration officials have warned that they would not support such an operation without the Israelis presenting a credible plan to ensure the safety of innocent Palestinian civilians.
Israel has yet to present such a plan, according to White House officials.
