In recent political maneuvers, President Joe Biden’s engagement with Benny Gantz signals potential shifts in US-Israel relations, amid broader initiatives to support Palestinian civilians in Gaza through international aid.
In a notable political development, President Joe Biden hosted Benny Gantz, an influential member of Israel’s war cabinet, in Washington, treating him with the status typically reserved for heads of government. This event took place amid speculation that the US favors Gantz as a potential successor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During his visit, Gantz engaged in discussions with key US figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Netanyahu, perceiving a threat to his position, voiced his discontent with Gantz’s growing prominence on the international stage.
This interaction hints at a possible shift in US-Israel relations, particularly concerning policies on Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. President Biden appears to view Gantz as a more receptive partner in pursuing solutions that could diverge from Netanyahu’s hardline approaches.
In a separate development, Canada announced the reinstatement of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza, following a period of financial uncertainty prompted by Israeli allegations against some of UNRWA’s staff in Gaza. Canadian Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen, underscored the importance of supporting Palestinian civilians while addressing these allegations. UNRWA, essential for providing humanitarian aid in Gaza, faced operational challenges due to funding suspensions from several countries, including Canada.
Furthermore, the United States revealed plans to build a floating pier and causeway off Gaza’s coast to improve the delivery of humanitarian aid. This initiative, expected to take around 60 days for completion by over 1,000 personnel, aims to assist the approximately 300,000 people in Gaza facing acute famine risks. Aid will be shipped from Cyprus and transferred to Gaza via smaller vessels. This effort aligns with President Biden’s appeal for increased humanitarian assistance to Gaza, as mentioned in his State of the Union speech.
These developments mark significant international efforts to navigate the complex political and humanitarian landscape of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the roles of various nations and international agencies in seeking to alleviate suffering in the region while contending with political sensitivities.
