Ex-Biden Official Criticizes Netanyahu's War Priorities

Phil Gordon, former National Security Advisor to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, has criticized interpretations of Brett McGurk's new book that suggest Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's conduct during the Gaza war was justified. Gordon stated on X that supporters of Netanyahu are likely misusing McGurk's book and interviews to claim Netanyahu acted correctly. He acknowledged McGurk's direct involvement and the importance of his testimony but stressed it doesn't represent a final version or universally accepted view, even within the former Biden administration.

Gordon asserted that most of his former colleagues in the Biden administration believed the U.S. should have exerted more pressure on Israel to alter its war strategy and expedite its conclusion. He noted that few thought President Biden's public disagreements with Israel were the main error. Gordon pointed to McGurk's own interviews, where he described Netanyahu as more focused on the military campaign and ending Hamas rule than on the hostage situation. McGurk recounted a February 2024 meeting where Netanyahu spoke for over half an hour without mentioning hostages, showing more enthusiasm for the military operation, though McGurk believed Netanyahu thought military pressure would eventually lead to a better deal for hostage release.

Gordon cited the April 2024 strike on World Central Kitchen workers as evidence that U.S. pressure could influence Israel. McGurk himself noted a difficult conversation between Biden and Netanyahu following the incident, during which severe measures against Israel, including military aid restrictions, were considered. Gordon also referenced a July 4, 2024, phone call between Biden and Netanyahu, during which the U.S. President urged finalizing a hostage deal after Hamas agreed to basic terms. Gordon claimed Netanyahu subsequently added new conditions, such as continued Israeli presence along the Gaza-Egypt border and a mechanism for vetting Palestinians returning to northern Gaza, which he believes delayed the deal for months. These conditions were reportedly removed from the agreement eventually reached in January 2025.

Gordon linked this delay to continued fighting and the deaths of more Palestinians and hostages, including six killed by Hamas in August 2024. He presented this as his interpretation of the negotiations, noting that McGurk also highlighted Hamas's shifting demands and obstacles. Gordon concluded by sharply criticizing Netanyahu, stating that October 7 occurred on his watch and that during the war, Netanyahu prioritized "absolute victory" and maintaining his coalition over a hostage deal and ending the fighting. He argued this policy damaged Israel's international standing and its relationship with the U.S., and that the Biden administration should have done more to influence Israeli policy.