The Biden-Netanyahu rift goes much deeper than Rafah
By David Ignatius
As the war in Gaza grinds on, President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are locked in a public quarrel about military strategy, political leadership and even casualty numbers. Like past disputes in the relationship, this one will probably be resolved short of an open break but its a tense moment.
The most visible disagreement has been about Netanyahus plan to attack Hamass remaining stronghold in Rafah along Gazas southern border with Egypt. Netanyahu and a broad range of other Israeli officials believe that destroying the four Hamas battalions there, with about 3,000 fighters, is essential to break its military control in the territory.
Biden said in an interview with MSNBC this past weekend that Rafah was a red line, but it wasnt clear just what that meant. Last month, Biden said Israel shouldnt attack Rafah until it had a credible and executable plan for ensuring the safety of more than 1 million Palestinian refugees who have been driven there by the fighting, according to a White House summary of the conversation. Administration officials say they still havent seen such a plan.
Well go there, Netanyahu shot back on Sunday, adding: You know, I have a red line. You know what the red line is? That October 7 doesnt happen again. Never happens again. A senior Israeli official underlined that position in an interview on Wednesday. If the administration says, Never do Rafah, that wont work.
You cant do 80 percent of the job.
https://wapo.st/4chQaCQ