According to recent reports from The New York Times and BBC, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s call for a humanitarian pause in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Despite calls from various quarters to impose a ceasefire, the U.S. has not asked Israel to stop its efforts to eliminate Hamas. The Biden administration initially rejected these demands, citing concerns that a unilateral ceasefire would only encourage Hamas to launch future attacks against Israel. The entire world blamed Hamas for the unilateral barbaric strike in Israel, prompting Israel’s retaliation, but began to question the proportionality of casualty in the war, citing the unprecedented death of women and children in Gaza.

Arab Americans, who have remained silent during previous conflicts, have voiced their disapproval of what they see as a double standard from the U.S. in its handling of the Gaza conflict. The Arab-American community is particularly critical of the U.S.’s outright rejection of the killing of innocent Israelis while offering only tepid acknowledgment of the killing of innocent Gazans, including over 4,000 children. This double standard has caused many Arab-Americans to galvanize against President Biden’s electoral fortunes in 2024.

However, the U.S. has since begun to realize the potential political ramifications of supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza without any caution – not mindful of the lives of innocent Palestinians caught up in the Hamas terrorist barbarism – especially in light of the prospects of the 2024 presidential election. In response, Biden has shifted his stance, appearing to have backtracked on his initial reaction to the conflict. This shift demonstrates that politicians will always act or react to protect their political fortunes – responding to the direction of the fiercest wind.

On the other hand, despite these concerns, Netanyahu has refused to halt his country’s military operations in Gaza, leading to massive killings of children and mounting criticism from international observers and human rights groups. In a recent statement, it raised concerns about Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s disrespect for the American presidency. It is not the first time he has shown such disregard, as he disrespected President Obama during his tenure.

There were instances of tensions between him and President Barack Obama. One notable incident occurred in 2015 when Netanyahu addressed the U.S. Congress without consulting the Obama administration. He delivered a speech opposing the Iran nuclear deal, a key policy initiative of President Obama. The move was seen by most as a breach of diplomatic protocol and criticized as disrespectful to the President.

Track forward to now, despite not receiving any direct orders from President Biden regarding Israel’s response to Hamas, Netanyahu referenced America’s war during 9/11 and indirectly told the U.S. not to interfere in constraining Israel. Such audacity from a beneficiary to his benefactor is ill-conceived and unacceptable. Netanyahu’s lack of respect for America’s leadership undermines the longstanding relationship between the two countries. Leaders must respect each other and work together towards common goals rather than engaging in disrespectful behavior that could damage relationships and undermine diplomatic efforts.

We strongly condemn the heinous crimes committed by Hamas against Israel and firmly believe that Hamas deserves total elimination. However, we urge Israel to pursue a more strategic approach in targeting Hamas and its command and control, no matter how long it takes. Israel must ensure safeguards for innocent Palestinians, as we do not want to see the death of innocents, whether in Israel or Gaza.

Over the coming weeks, our editorial board will be publishing a range of articles on various aspects of the conflict. We will delve into the complex history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, presenting the facts objectively and without bias toward any particular party. Thus, one can state the facts without being Islamophobic or antisemitic. Our analysis will examine the roots of the bad blood between the parties, tracing its origins back to the early 20th century and the competing national aspirations of the Jewish and Arab populations in the region.

We will also explore the role of external factors, such as British colonialism and the broader geopolitical context of the Middle East, in shaping the conflict over time. By presenting this history clearly and comprehensively, we hope to foster greater understanding and empathy on all sides and contribute to a more constructive dialogue towards peace and reconciliation.

Please stay tuned for our next series on the origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Nicholas A. Owoyemi, CFA

President & CEO (Author)

Moderate Voices of America

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