Netanyahu vows to 'stand alone' if Biden halts arms
The Israeli prime minister responds to President Biden's threat over withholding US weapons
What happened
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu struck a defiant tone Thursday after President Joe Biden threatened to withhold certain American offensive munitions if Israel launches a full ground invasion of Rafah, the Gaza city where 1.3 million Palestinians have sought refuge. Israel says Rafah is Hamas' final military stronghold.
Who said what
"If we need to stand alone, we will stand alone," Netanyahu said. "If necessary, we will fight with our fingernails." Israel has "what we need" in terms of munitions "for the missions in Rafah," said military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.
"Hamas ❤️ Biden," posted National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, one of the ultra-nationalists in Netanyahu's Cabinet who has threatened to bring down the government if Israel doesn't invade Rafah. To avoid being "turned out of office," Netanyahu "needs to keep the 'total victory' myth alive — and that is only possible by avoiding a deal with Hamas," Anshel Pfeffer said for Haaretz.
What next?
Cease-fire negotiations in Cairo were paused Thursday. The departing Israeli and Hamas delegations are looking to "blame the other guy" if talks fail, and "the only party that's really in a hurry is Biden," longtime U.S. Mideast negotiator Aaron David Miller said to the New York Times. "Sure, he's worried about Palestinian deaths if Bibi goes big in Rafah" but "also knows it will make any negotiation … all but impossible."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others.
-
The Finest Summer Flavours
By Sponsored Content Published
-
Today's political cartoons - May 20, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - flags flipped, Diddy dunked, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Diddy admits to beating girlfriend after video
Speed Read Though he previously denied allegations of abuse, Combs apologized for abusing Cassie Ventura following the release of new CCTV footage
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden delivers Morehouse graduation speech
Speed Read It was the president's first time addressing a college campus since the breakout of Gaza war protests
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Iran president dead in helicopter crash
Speed Read Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian were found dead at the site
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US makes first Gaza aid delivery from floating pier
Speed Read Israeli restrictions on border crossings have prevented food and supplies from reaching Gaza citizens
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Slovak prime minister 'will survive' after being shot
Speed Read Prime Minister Robert Fico is in a stable but serious condition
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden and Trump agree to 2 debates, starting in June
Speed Read CNN will host the first debate on June 27
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Is public opinion shifting in Israel over the war?
Today's Big Question International criticism and a lack of progress in freeing hostages is piling pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Georgia erupts in fury as 'Russian law' passes
Speed Read The "foreign influence" bill is reminiscent of legislation Putin previously passed, with the intent to silence critics
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published