(Washington) Joe Biden on Tuesday criticized the Israeli government in an unprecedented manner for its opposition to “a two-state solution” and warned it against an erosion of international support because of the “indiscriminate” bombings of Gaza.
Confirming tensions with his main ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his part recognized on Tuesday “disagreements” with the American leader on their long-term vision, once the conflict in the Gaza Strip ends.
The two leaders had not exposed their differences head-on since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
“There is no doubt about the need to eliminate Hamas,” the US president said during a reception in Washington intended to raise funds for his re-election campaign.
About Benjamin Netanyahu, the 81-year-old democrat said: “He is a good friend, but he has to change”, but “this government in Israel makes it very difficult for him to change”. according to a transcript of his remarks sent by the White House.
This version differs in part from that initially made by the journalist from the presidential press “pool” present on site.
“This is the most conservative government in the history of Israel” and the most right-wing fringe of the executive “does not want anything that even remotely resembles a two-state solution,” insisted the American president, for whom it is on the contrary the only long-term solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Joe Biden also stressed that at present, Israel has the support of “Europe” and “most of the world”, but issued the following warning: “they are losing this support with the indiscriminate bombings that are taking place. »
Monday evening, during a reception at the White House marking the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, Joe Biden had already said that Israelis should be “cautious” because “world public opinion can change at any time. »
He also returned to his notoriously difficult relationship with the Israeli prime minister.
The American president said Monday evening that Benjamin Netanyahu had a photograph on his desk showing him in the company of Joe Biden when the latter was a young senator.
The democrat claimed to have written the following sentence on the photo: “Bibi (the nickname of the Israeli leader), I like you very much, but I do not agree with anything you say. »
“And that is still true today,” added Joe Biden, in front of representatives of the Jewish community.