In a recent discussion, Nick Schifrin probed Woodward about President Biden's complex relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, highlighting a stark contrast with Vice President Kamala Harris's approach. This inquiry comes amid growing concerns that the Biden administration's support for Israel may alienate voters in key swing states like Michigan.
Biden's strategy towards Netanyahu has been characterized as a \"bear hug,\" suggesting that by maintaining a close relationship, the President hopes to encourage the Israeli leader to align more closely with U.S. interests. However, behind closed doors, Biden's frustrations with Netanyahu are evident. Woodward revealed that Biden has privately referred to Netanyahu using harsh language, expressing deep skepticism about the Israeli leader's reliability and intentions.
As tensions escalate in the Middle East following the October 7th attacks, Biden's efforts to persuade Israel to adopt a more measured response have been met with mixed results. While there appears to be some level of communication, it is clear that Netanyahu remains resolute in his decisions, indicating a challenging dynamic in U.S.-Israel relations moving forward.