Staff Reports
In a recent TV interview, former White House press secretary Jen Psaki expressed disappointment in President Joe Biden’s decision to not withhold weapons shipments to Israel earlier. Psaki, who appeared on CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, criticized Biden’s handling of the situation and emphasized that the leverage to withhold weapons should have been used at an earlier time. Psaki also mentioned that the recent decision to pull back on sending weapons to Israel was a significant step, given the long-standing military support between the United States and Israel.
#JenPsaki #ShameOnYou
Psaki criticizes Biden for not threatening to withhold weapons to Israel earlier https://t.co/pmwoA0zJJb #SmartNews— Karen aka @djt_Susan (@SaintDonald45) May 10, 2024
As someone who has worked closely with the administration, Psaki suggested that the relationship between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Biden may be more strained than publicly acknowledged. She also highlighted the complexity of the relationship and indicated that Biden has faced challenges dealing with Netanyahu in the past, which is not widely discussed.
Biden’s recent statement about halting offensive weapons shipments if Israel proceeded with its plans to fully invade Rafah in the Gaza Strip has sparked backlash from Republicans and mixed reactions from Democrats. The Israeli war cabinet’s decision to expand the ground operation in Rafah has further fueled speculation about Biden’s stance on the issue. However, the specifics of Biden’s red line on Rafah remain unclear.
Psaki’s remarks shed light on the growing tension between the United States and Israel regarding military support and the decision-making process. The comments made by Psaki and the ongoing developments in the Middle East underscore the complex dynamics at play in the region and the challenges faced by the Biden administration in navigating international relationships.
