Biden Slams Netanyahu in Memoir for Unkept Promises, Self-Interest
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Former U.S. President Joe Biden criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his upcoming memoir, accusing him of making unkept promises and prioritizing personal political gain during the Gaza war. Biden recounts urging Netanyahu to reduce civilian casualties, but claims his commitments were ineffective. The memoir highlights significant tensions between the leaders, despite Biden's continued support for Israel.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Joe Biden accuses Benjamin Netanyahu of making unkept promises during the Gaza war in his memoir.
- Biden claims Netanyahu prioritized personal political interests over Israel's long-term future.
- The former U.S. President urged Netanyahu to reduce Palestinian civilian casualties, but saw no change.
- Biden expressed frustration with Netanyahu's alleged inability to act as a statesman.
- The memoir details significant tensions between Biden and Netanyahu during the war.
- Biden defends his decision to maintain U.S. aid to Israel despite disagreements.
Former U.S. President Joe Biden has sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his upcoming memoir, "Promise Me, America," set for release on November 17. Extracts revealed by CNN on Friday detail Biden's accusations that Netanyahu repeatedly made promises he had no intention of keeping, particularly during the Gaza war, prioritizing his own political interests over Israel's future.
Biden writes that "Bibi had no qualms about making promises he had neither the power nor the intention to keep," describing their relationship as particularly strained after the October 7, 2023, attacks. The former White House resident states he repeatedly urged Netanyahu to take greater precautions to minimize Palestinian civilian casualties. According to Biden, Netanyahu acknowledged that the rising death toll harmed Israel's international image and weakened U.S. support for the war, yet his commitments remained ineffective.
"A familiar pattern had set in: he would promise to do more, then a new military operation would lead to the deaths of more civilians," Biden recounts. He claims that Israeli officials consistently offered explanations or justifications in response to Washington's protests, without fundamentally altering their conduct.
The most significant political criticism leveled by Biden concerns Netanyahu's motivations. Biden expresses deep frustration with Netanyahu's alleged inability to act as a statesman and protect Israel's long-term interests rather than his immediate political needs. These revelations underscore the tensions that marked the relationship between the two leaders during the war.
Former Biden Middle East advisor Brett McGurk's own recent book also highlights President Biden's anger following an Israeli strike in April 2024 that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers. Despite these disagreements, Biden defends his decision to maintain U.S. military and diplomatic aid to Israel, viewing it as his duty to support a strategic ally. He admits, however, that this loyalty placed him in an increasingly difficult position.
Biden summarizes this contradiction in his memoir, explaining that after Netanyahu's return to power in late 2022, protecting Israel meant defending it not only against its enemies but also against its own decisions.
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