Critics view Biden-Netanyahu rift as a smokescreen, deeming it inconsequential

The reported "rift," which has been termed a full-blown "collision" by some media between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, is seen as a smokescreen by those who raise concerns about Israel's indiscriminate bombing of Gazans.

Despite Biden's call on Israel to end the "indiscriminate bombing" in Gaza, warning about a potential loss of international support, the US is still financing and sending weapons for the Israeli war with or without the support of Congress.

Palestinian rights advocates question the significance of this apparent disagreement, suggesting that Biden's words may be a mere facade to appease domestic critics without signalling a substantive policy shift.

Despite the public disagreement, the Biden administration has reiterated its commitment to providing unconditional military aid to Israel and setting no red lines to restrict its actions.

Laura Albast, a Palestinian American organizer, dismissed the reported Biden-Netanyahu rift as inconsequential, emphasizing that actions speak louder than words. She argued that as long as the US continues to fund the Israeli army and supply weapons, the reported disagreements hold little weight.

"It doesn't matter whether Biden and Bibi like each other or not because American money is still being transferred to fund the Israeli army. Weapons are still being sent with or without Congress's approval," Albast said.

Critics further accuse the Biden administration of engaging in political theatre, using occasional criticism of Israel to address growing domestic concerns about the atrocities in Gaza. With Biden's approval rating hitting a record low of 34 per cent and plummeting to 23 per cent among voters under 34, the administration seemingly attempts to distance itself from the conflict's grim realities.

A Monmouth University poll underscored the public dissatisfaction, revealing a significant decline in Biden's popularity during the ongoing Gaza war. Despite occasional critiques, the US continues to oppose UN resolutions calling for a ceasefire, raising questions about the administration's commitment to addressing the conflict's humanitarian toll.

Amer Zahr, a Palestinian American comedian and activist, dismissed the reported feud between Biden and Netanyahu as a distraction. Zahr argued that the Biden administration is trying to distance itself from Netanyahu's policies while simultaneously seeking billions in additional assistance for Israel.

Adam Shapiro, the director of advocacy for Israel-Palestine at Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), characterized the Biden administration's approach as a "clown show of foreign policy." While acknowledging points of contention between the US and Israeli governments, Shapiro argued that the administration's inability to disengage from the conflict has left it floundering without a clear direction.

As the conflict in Gaza continues, with over 5,000 Palestinians killed since December 1, critics argue that the Biden administration's statements and actions are inconsistent and lack credibility. Despite differences in vision for post-war Gaza and support for a two-state solution, the US, along with Israel, recently voted against a UN General Assembly resolution affirming Palestinians' right to self-determination.

Zahr criticized the contradictory stance, highlighting the administration's inability to reconcile its commitment to peace with its voting record. Shapiro further emphasized that the administration's position on the Gaza war undermines its credibility and principles on the world stage, creating a foreign policy tangled in contradictions and unforced errors.