“A major ground operation there would be a mistake. It would lead to more innocent civilian deaths, worsen the already dire humanitarian crisis, deepen the anarchy in Gaza and further isolate Israel internationally,” Sullivan said, offering a readout on the 45-minute call in his opening remarks at a White House press briefing.
The call between Netanyahu and Biden was their 20th since the outbreak of war following Hamas’s October 7 attack, but their first since February 15. It came four days after an unprecedented speech from longtime pro-Israel stalwart and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calling for early elections in Israel to replace Netanyahu, who the most senior Jewish lawmaker in Congress said has “lost his way” and branded as an obstacle to peace along with Hamas, the Israeli far-right and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Biden on Friday hailed the speech and said many Americans feel as Schumer does, though the White House clarified that elections were a matter for the Israeli people to decide. Schumer’s remarks infuriated Netanyahu, who has accused the US of trying to interfere in Israel’s domestic politics.
Sullivan hit back on Monday, charging Israel interferes in American politics more than the other way around. READ MORE
