President Biden Ultimatum PM Netanyahu, Israel Opens Ports And Crossings To Gaza

JAKARTA - US President Joe Biden effectively gave an ultimatum to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while speaking by telephone on Thursday: protecting Palestinian civilians and foreign aid workers in Gaza or Washington could curb support for Israel in its war against Hamas militants.

The message, after months of calls for Israel to change its military tactics that have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, following an Israeli attack that killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers and sparked global outrage. Israel admits the attack was a mistake.

"Today, I spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu to emphasize the attacks on aid workers and the humanitarian situation in Gaza is unacceptable," he wrote on social media X, as reported April 5.

"Israel must implement measures to overcome the dangers to civilians and the safety of workers, seek a ceasefire to bring home the hostages," he continued.

Drawing their call, the White House said President Biden called on Israel "to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian losses, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.

"He explained the US policy with respect to Gaza would be determined by our assessment of Israel's immediate action against these measures," the White House said in a statement.

The White House did not say exactly what steps PM Netanyahu should take, or what would be done if PM Netanyahu failed to take the move. However, analysts say the implied threat is to slow the transfer of US weapons to Israel or weaken US support at the United Nations.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is more outspoken.

"Look, I'm just going to say this: if we don't see the changes we need to see, then there will be changes in our policy," said Foreign Minister Blinken.

On Thursday evening, just hours after the phone call, the Israeli government announced several steps to increase the flow of aid to Gaza, including opening the Ashdod port and Erez crossing to northern Gaza and increasing aid deliveries from Jordan. It is unclear whether these measures will be sufficient to meet US demands.

It is known that President Biden, who is advancing again in the upcoming November elections, has struggled to balance pressure to control Netanyahu from a progressive Democrat camp who is disappointed with the death toll of Palestinian civilians and the risks that may isolate most of the pro-Israeli independent voters. So far he has refused to set terms regarding arms transfer.

Today, I spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu to emphasize that strikes on aid workers and the humanitarian situation in Gaza are unacceptable.Israel must implement steps to address civilian harm and the safety of workers – and work toward a ceasefire to bring hostages home. pic.twitter.com/c7yB0jwq06

— President Biden (@POTUS) April 4, 2024

Today, I speech with Prime Minister Netanyahu to emphasize that strikes on acid workers and the humanitarian situation in Gaza are unaceptable.Israel must implement steps to address civilian harm and the safety of workers and work towards a cease fire to bring hosts home. pic.twitter.com/c7yB0jwq06