Netanyahu Stood Firm Against Biden's Aid Threats, New Book Reveals

A new book by Brett McGurk, a senior advisor to former U.S. President Joe Biden, details intense pressure exerted on Israel in Spring 2024, including direct confrontations between Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. McGurk recounts how Biden threatened to freeze military aid and munitions shipments to Israel, famously asking Netanyahu, "Do you think I'm Santa Claus?"

The friction escalated following the accidental killing of World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza on April 1, 2024. McGurk describes Biden's frustration in the Oval Office with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, struggling to influence Netanyahu. During a call, Biden directly confronted Netanyahu, "Bibi, what the hell are you doing?" and reiterated the threat to halt aid, leaving Israel to stand alone.

Despite the severe pressure and a sudden end to the call, Netanyahu remained resolute, stating Israel would defend itself independently if necessary. He insisted on presenting the full military investigation into the aid worker incident and refused to accept Biden's proposed accelerated end to the war, leading Biden to hang up in anger.

However, McGurk's account highlights that this firm stance did not undermine U.S. security commitments. When Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on April 13, 2024, the Biden administration mobilized its military assets, including U.S. Central Command aircraft, to help intercept the drones and missiles alongside the Israeli Air Force.

Following the successful joint defense, the U.S. attempted to leverage the situation to restrain Israel from retaliating, with Biden urging Netanyahu to "take the victory." McGurk's narrative suggests that even at this juncture, the White House encountered an Israeli leadership prioritizing its sovereign security considerations over external dictates. The book also touches upon hostage negotiation efforts, noting that McGurk presented ceasefire proposals in Cairo in February 2024, but talks stalled due to Israel's adherence to its war objectives.