Ex-Harris Advisor Warns of Irreversible Damage to US Support for Israel
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Phil Gordon, a former advisor to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, stated that American support for Israel has collapsed, potentially irreversibly. He detailed how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conditions in July 2024 delayed a hostage deal, leading to increased casualties. Gordon also criticized both the Biden and Trump administrations for their handling of the conflict and Iran tensions, suggesting that American pressure can be effective. He warned of potential Iranian escalation due to desperation.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Harris advisor Phil Gordon warns US support for Israel has "truly collapsed" with potentially irreversible damage.
- Gordon claims Netanyahu's conditions in July 2024 delayed a hostage deal, causing thousands of deaths.
- Many of Gordon's former colleagues believe Biden should have pressured Israel more to end the war.
- Gordon criticized Trump's inaction on ceasefire violations and Gaza's siege in 2025.
- Gordon warns of a "dangerous and volatile stalemate" with Iran, fearing desperate escalation.
- Gordon suggests Netanyahu may have acted politically to maintain his coalition.
Phil Gordon, former National Security Advisor to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, has warned that American public support for Israel has "truly collapsed" and the damage may be irreversible, lasting long after current leaders depart office. In an interview with "Walla," Gordon stated that public affection for Israel has plummeted among an entire generation, and ideas like conditioning military aid, once fringe, have become mainstream within the Democratic Party.
Gordon provided a dramatic account of hostage deal negotiations in the summer of 2024, identifying a critical turning point. He claims Hamas agreed in early July to drop its demand for a pre-negotiated permanent ceasefire. Following this, on July 4, President Joe Biden called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging him to accept the deal. Gordon recounted his "disappointment" hearing Netanyahu list conditions, including Israeli presence on the Philadelphi Axis and a screening mechanism in northern Gaza, which the Americans interpreted as a de facto refusal. Gordon asserts this insistence delayed the agreement by six months, leading to the deaths of nearly 9,000 Palestinians and six hostages executed in August. He emphasized that both of Netanyahu's conditions were ultimately removed from the deal signed in January 2025. Gordon suggested Netanyahu might have acted for political reasons to maintain his "absolute victory" coalition.
Gordon also criticized the Biden administration, revealing that many of his former colleagues believe Biden should have exerted greater pressure on Israel to end the war sooner, including through UN actions and conditioning arms supplies. He cited Biden's threat to change policy after the killing of WCK aid workers, which immediately led to the opening of humanitarian crossings, as proof that American pressure is effective.
Turning to the Trump administration's conduct in 2025, Gordon alleged that Trump took no action when Israel violated a ceasefire in March and ignored a two-month complete siege of Gaza. According to Gordon, Trump only began applying significant pressure after an Israeli strike in Doha, which led to the "20-point plan" and a ceasefire.
Regarding tensions with Iran, Gordon warned of a "dangerous and volatile stalemate." He explained that while the U.S. believes maximum pressure will cripple Iran's economy, Tehran anticipates enduring until the U.S. midterm elections. Gordon's primary concern is that Iran might initiate regional escalation out of desperation before collapsing entirely. However, he noted that Trump has recently refrained from military action due to fears of devastating and unpredictable consequences.
Mentioned
