Report: Biden, Obama Split on Support for Israel

Facts

• NBC News reported Wednesday that there is a rift between Pres. Joe Biden and his former boss Barack Obama over how the US should approach its support of Israel. The report, which cites five anonymous sources, comes as the president faces pushback from his own party for his support of Israel.¹
• According to the report, Biden told people in his inner circle that his public support of Israel has been more successful than Obama’s method. In 2014, Obama publicly criticized Israel for launching a military attack on Gaza — an approach then-Vice President Biden said 'wouldn't work.'²
• A Biden spokesperson, however, has denied the claims about the president's comments on Obama's policy. For decades, Biden’s mantra has been to “hug” Israel closely but refrain from criticism. His policy drew initial support, but many Democrats have pushed back against Biden’s pro-Israel policy as civilian deaths mount.²
• Meanwhile, despite considering imposing conditions on future military aid to Israel, the administration said that the US won’t pursue any restrictions on aid. Biden said the idea was a “worthwhile thought” but has decided to remain steadfast in his support.³
• Democrats’ division over Israel has seeped into the Senate as the party’s caucus debated placing more conditions on aid to Israel on Tuesday.⁴
• The report came as Biden walked back comments that were perceived by some as a call for a potential ceasefire on Tuesday.⁵

Sources: ¹Yahoo News, ²NBC, ³Politico, ⁴CNN and ⁵New York Post.

Narratives

• Conservative narrative, as provided by Daily Caller. Joe Biden is finding out the obvious: his party, including his former boss, has left him far behind. There's clearly no room for moderates in the modern Democratic Party, and Biden has been more than happy to move further and further left to appease his party’s zealots. However, Biden is unwilling to move left when it comes to Israel, and he's now experiencing the wrath of his fellow Democrats.
• Progressive narrative, as provided by Al Jazeera. Joe Biden is alienating many of his constituents by continuing to unconditionally support Israel’s attack on civilians in Gaza. The US, and especially the Democratic Party, grows more diverse each day, and this current foreign policy isn't supported by many young voters. If Biden continues to ignore the moral injustice happening in Palestine, real progressives will stay home in 2024.
• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Washington Post. Pres. Biden has been faced with an impossible political situation as he looks to navigate a diplomatic crisis in the Middle East, and despite criticism from both sides, he has handled the conflict as best as he can. He recognizes that maintaining peace relies on playing ball with different actors, and he knows that he can’t deal with Israel in the same way he deals with other countries.