Biden's relationship with Netanyahu causing 'cracks' in Democratic support

President Joe Biden has found himself in a peculiar position in the wake of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel in early October.

Initially expressing support for Israel's right to defend itself, his position has morphed in the wake of intense pressure from the anti-Israel sectors of the Democratic Party.

The Washington Examiner ran a piece explaining Biden's longtime relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, explaining that while the two have a connection, they're also not afraid to publicly disagree on policy and decisions.

William Wechsler, the Atlantic Council's senior director of Middle East Studies, summarized the relationship between the two leaders in remarks shortly after the Hamas attack on Israel.

"They're never going to be personal, best friends. It's not the nature of the relationship. But at the same time, the personal connection to Israel is what keeps it going," Wechsler said.

He added, "They really can't caricature each other. They will work together when needed but will also be clear when there is a disagreement."

The most notable dust-up between the two comes as Israel continues its retaliatory offensive against Hamas terrorists in Gaza. Democrats have greatly pressured the president to convince Netanyahu that he shouldn't run such operations at the risk of killing Palestinian civilians.

The Examiner noted:

And reports indicate that U.S. officials have stressed to their Israeli counterparts that the United States will not support the Israel Defense Forces operating in southern Gaza the same way as in the north once this temporary ceasefire resumes. Axios reported that Biden issued such a warning to Netanyahu after the initial ceasefire agreement was reached.

#Breaking: Whitehouse NSC Spokesperson: John Kirby: “We don't support southern operations unless or until the Israelis can show that they have accounted for all the internally displaced people of Gaza.”

US signaling a change of tone? pic.twitter.com/xjhqegFX1l

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 29, 2023

Clearly, the Biden administration is attempting to keep all sides happy, to some degree, but it's not working out very well.

The Examiner said that his continued overall support for Israel is causing "cracks in his electoral coalition."

The timing for Biden couldn't be worse, given that confidence from his fellow party members in his ability to run a successful reelection campaign is low, to be kind.

He's already losing support from Muslim and Arab voters in the U.S., especially in critical swing states like Michigan.

Only time will tell where Biden will ultimately fall on the matter.