Biden’s Former Advisers Criticize Netanyahu Over Gaza War Decisions Ahead of Memoir Release

Ahead of former President Joe Biden’s upcoming memoir in November, his former senior advisers have publicly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the Gaza conflict. In an extensive New Yorker investigation, key figures including ex-National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Deputy John Finer, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Kamala Harris’s senior adviser Philip Gordon reveal behind-the-scenes tensions between Washington and Jerusalem during the crisis. They admit to mistakes, manipulation by Israeli leadership, and insufficient pressure on Netanyahu to alter Israel’s approach.

Sullivan acknowledged the need for stronger U.S. pressure on Israel and described how Biden repeatedly postponed difficult decisions about conditioning or delaying arms shipments. Twice, the U.S. seriously considered a decisive break with Israel in 2024 but retreated due to concerns over hostages and security. Despite reports of cognitive decline, Biden was actively involved and often overruled his advisers, who felt trapped by Netanyahu’s repeated false promises that fighting would end "in two weeks." Blinken reportedly rebuked Netanyahu’s close aide Ron Dermer over these empty assurances.

The U.S. officials were shocked by the scale of destruction in Gaza, particularly the flattening of Rafah, and questioned the justification for such extensive damage to civilians. A confidential letter from the International Red Cross president warned Biden in March 2024 that Israeli policies risked a "moral defeat" and urged a halt to arms shipments due to likely war crimes. Despite internal calls to sanction Israeli units allegedly involved in abuses, Blinken refrained, hoping to preserve a ceasefire.

The report also details Netanyahu’s unilateral killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, which embarrassed Biden and undermined U.S. diplomatic efforts. Biden had planned to bypass Netanyahu with a direct speech to the Israeli public warning against pursuing total victory, but Netanyahu and Dermer intervened, promising hostage deals and forcing Biden to soften his message.

Criticism of Netanyahu’s conduct extends beyond Democrats to Republicans, notably Vice President J.D. Vance, who has clashed with pro-Israel conservatives over his remarks and conspiracy theory echoes. This intra-party conflict is reshaping the 2028 presidential race, with Senator Marco Rubio emerging as the favored pro-Israel candidate among Jewish conservatives, contrasting with Vance’s more contentious stance.

Overall, Biden’s former team portrays a fraught U.S.-Israel relationship during the Gaza war, marked by miscommunication, strategic disagreements, and political maneuvering that complicated efforts to manage the conflict and protect civilians.