(Washington) US President Joe Biden tackled the Israeli Prime Minister in an interview with Time magazine published Tuesday, saying there was “every reason” to conclude that Benjamin Netanyahu was dragging out the war in Gaza for his own political survival.
The Democrat, whose relations with Mr. Netanyahu are notoriously complicated, added that he had a “major disagreement” with him over the post-war period in the Palestinian territory, and judged that Israel had behaved “inappropriately.” during the conflict, sparked by a Hamas attack on October 7.
These remarks are all the more notable because they come from the leader of the great country allied to Israel.
More broadly, the octogenarian president, candidate for a second term, said he was better placed than his Republican rival Donald Trump to ensure that the United States remains “the world power” on subjects such as Ukraine, Taiwan or Gaza.
The interview with Time took place before the announcement by the American president of a proposal presented as Israeli for a cease-fire in Gaza, and coldly received by Mr. Netanyahu.
Asked whether he believed the Israeli prime minister was dragging out the war for his own political interests, the American president suggested yes.
“There is every reason for people to draw that conclusion,” he said.
Mr. Biden acknowledged that he particularly disagreed with the Israeli over the need for a Palestinian state.
“My big disagreement with Netanyahu is what happens after… the end of (the conflict in) Gaza? What situation will (the Palestinian territory) return to? Are Israeli forces going back there? “, said the Democrat.
“The answer is, if that’s the case, it can’t work.”
Furthermore, Mr. Biden, who has made support for Ukraine against Russia one of the constants of his foreign policy, said he was better positioned than Donald Trump for this defense to continue.
The Russian military has been “decimated,” he argued, adding: “What peace looks like is making sure that Russia never, ever, ever, ever occupies Ukraine.”
He also criticized his Republican predecessor, who threatened to undo traditional American alliances and moved closer to authoritarian leaders during his term.
“All the bad guys support Trump,” Mr. Biden said.
“Give me the name of one leader, besides (Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor) Orban and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, who thinks Trump should be the world leader in the United States,” he said. for follow-up.
Concerning China, with whom relations remain tense, the American president reiterated that the United States would stand alongside Taiwan, while saying that Washington was not trying to change the status quo.
“We are not seeking independence for Taiwan (but) we are also not going to fail to defend Taiwan if China tries to change the status unilaterally,” he said.
Domestically, despite polls showing voters are concerned about Mr. Biden’s age –– just four years older than Mr. Trump, 77 – the Democrat has asserted that he is the better candidate.
“I can do better than anyone else,” he replied when asked if he was fit to govern for a full second term, at the end of which he would be 86 years old.
