US President Joe Biden recognized Israel’s “right to respond and duty to retaliate” to the deadly Hamas attack and called for sparing civilians at the start of Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza on Saturday. For geopolitical scientist Pascal Boniface, Washington is trying to prevent a massacre that could have catastrophic effects on the Jewish state and its allies. Interview.
Published on: October 15, 2023 – 5:05 p.m
5 minutes
Civilians must have “access to water, food and medical care.” As Israel’s ground offensive in the Gaza Strip imminent, American President Joe Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, October 14, and stressed the importance of protecting residents caught up in the conflict. On the same day, he also assured Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of his “full support” for efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Palestinians “particularly in Gaza.”
Following Hamas’ deadly attack on the Jewish state on Saturday, October 7, Israel launched a massive offensive campaign against Gaza, cutting off water, electricity and food supplies.
In unconditional support for Israel, the United States recognized the country’s “right to respond and duty to retaliate” while calling for a proportionate response. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is expected in Israel on Monday after a regional diplomatic mission with stops in Jordan, Qatar, the Emirates, Saudi Arabia and even Egypt.
What role does Washington want to play in resolving this new crisis rocking the Middle East? Elements of Reaction with geopolitologist Pascal Boniface.
The Americans have been very aggressive diplomatically and militarily since the Hamas attack. What are their main goals? ?
Pascal Boniface: Washington first wants to convince Israel of the United States’ unwavering support, which is particularly expressed by sending two aircraft carriers to the eastern Mediterranean. This military reinforcement does not concern Hamas, but rather has a deterrent objective in view of a possible Iranian attack should the situation worsen. Therefore, there is a desire to reaffirm support for Israel, which is part of the DNA of American diplomacy.
However, there is a problem for the Americans, because if the ground offensive on Gaza causes too many deaths and too blatantly violates the norms of international law, this unconditional support would get the US into trouble in other parts of the world.
Such an operation would not only reduce international support for Israel, but also have a negative impact on the Jewish country’s main supporters, namely Western countries and especially the United States. That’s why Americans are calling for restraint.
Washington is also trying to prevent an expansion of the conflict with Hezbollah forces on the Lebanese border, which would open a second front, and to calm the situation in the West Bank, where clashes between settlers and Palestinians have caused numerous deaths since the Hamas attack . We can imagine the Americans discreetly exerting pressure on Israel to avoid reprisals and prevent intercommunal violence from flaring up.
We know that Joe Biden is much more critical of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s actions than his predecessor Donald Trump. Does this crisis strengthen relations between the two countries? ?
Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu undoubtedly have differences. The entry into government of openly racist ministers with whom the prime minister has formed a coalition to save his skin is bound to embarrass the American president. He also disapproves of the continuation of colonization under the strong settler influence in the current coalition.
Despite everything, we cannot say that the current crisis has strengthened ties because they have not been weakened. Joe Biden did not question anything that Donald Trump had decided, be it the Abraham Accords or the relocation of the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
With Israel’s return to the forefront of the news, there has been a reaffirmation of unity and total solidarity in the face of the unprecedented scale of the attack on Israeli territory. At the same time, the United States is trapped by Israel’s promise to respond with force, knowing full well that the operation will result in a humanitarian catastrophe.
Also read: What is white phosphorus that NGOs accuse Israel of using in Gaza?
Anthony Blinken ends his diplomatic marathon in Arab countries on Sunday. What does he hope for from regional partners? ?
In addition to the goal of containing a possible regional conflagration, the American Secretary of State is negotiating to allow the approximately 600 Americans who are in Gaza to pass through the border crossing between the enclave and Egypt. There is also the question of the fate of the American hostages held by Hamas.
With this tour, the USA wants to show that they are in charge. However, we know that Israel will set its agenda alone and will not take into account Washington’s demands. This may seem paradoxical given the scale of American aid, but it is the situation that has prevailed between the two countries since the beginning of the 21st century. Since the United States does not put any real pressure on Israel, its leaders know full well that they can wage whatever they want without facing the threat of sanctions.
What about the Abraham Accords, initiated by the Trump administration to normalize diplomatic relations between Israel and Arab countries? ?
The discussions are, at best, on hold. Saudi Arabia has suspended negotiations with Israel and today it appears difficult for the King of Morocco to continue his rapprochement with the Jewish state. Although the Emirates and Bahrain have condemned Hamas’ attacks, it will be difficult for them to establish relations with Israel in the near future.
It is pointless for the United States to engage with them because at the moment it will not be able to implement or revive them against any Arab government, even the most authoritarian one.