Diplomatic marathon: the United States acts to avoid a massacre in Gaza
Against the backdrop of Israel’s looming ground offensive in Gaza, US President Joe Biden held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Joe Biden stressed the importance of protecting civilians and called for them to have access to water, food and medical care. The United States supports Israel’s right to defend itself, while calling for a proportionate response.
The United States’ dispatch of two aircraft carriers to the Eastern Mediterranean aims to reaffirm its unconditional support for Israel and deter a possible attack by Iran. However, the United States must also exercise restraint, because an overly deadly escalation of the Israeli offensive would jeopardize its support for Israel internationally.
The United States is also seeking to avoid an extension of the conflict with Hezbollah to the Lebanese border and to ease tensions in the West Bank, where clashes between Israeli settlers and Palestinians have already left several dead. The United States is likely to exert discreet pressure on Israel to avoid retaliation and prevent an escalation of intercommunal violence.
Despite the differences between Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu, linked in particular to the Israeli government coalition including openly racist ministers and the continuation of colonization, the current crisis has not severed ties between the two countries. Joe Biden did not question the decisions made by his predecessor, Donald Trump, regarding the Abraham Accords and the transfer of the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The scale of Hamas’ attack on Israeli territory led to a reaffirmation of solidarity and ties between the United States and Israel.
At the same time, American Secretary of State Anthony Blinken carried out a diplomatic marathon in Arab countries, with the aim of containing a possible regional escalation. In addition to seeking support to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the United States is seeking to contain regional tensions, particularly in the face of Israel’s promise of a response with force.
In conclusion, the United States is engaged in a diplomatic marathon to avoid a massacre in Gaza. They support Israel’s right to defend itself, but call for a proportionate response and the protection of civilians. They also seek to contain regional tensions and avoid an escalation of intercommunal violence. Their objective is to preserve their support for Israel while avoiding difficulty on the international scene.