Biden’s criticism of Israel overshadowed by military aid

US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently criticized Israel for an airstrike that tragically killed World Central Kitchen aid workers, including a dual citizen of the US and Canada. While Israel stated the strike was a mistake, their explanation has failed to assuage the concerns voiced by Washington and Ottawa.

Trudeau labeled the deaths as "unacceptable" and emphasized the need for "very clear answers" regarding the incident. Canada has called for a comprehensive investigation, with its top diplomat, Mélanie Joly, stressing the importance of Israel's adherence to international law.

Biden's condemnation of Israel marked one of his strongest criticisms since the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7. He highlighted the significant challenges in humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza due to the lack of adequate protection for aid workers by Israel.

Despite the escalating tensions between the White House and Netanyahu over plans regarding Rafah, the Biden administration continued to approve arms transfers to Israel. Last month, thousands of bombs, including 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs, along with 25 F-35A fighter jets and engines, were authorized for transfer. Furthermore, the administration is seeking Congress's approval for the sale of $18 billion worth of F-15 fighter jets to Israel.

Biden's stance reflects a balancing act between his increasing criticism of Israel's actions and his reluctance to adopt significant shifts in US policy towards the nation. While some Democrats advocate conditioning military aid to Israel, Biden appears hesitant to embrace such changes, likely due to concerns about upsetting pro-Israel voters and lawmakers. Additionally, his longstanding support for Israel throughout his political career suggests that the US-Israel relationship will remain robust.

However, Biden's verbal rebuke of Israel may not suffice to satisfy voters critical of ongoing US military assistance, as recent polling indicates a growing disapproval of Israeli military actions among Americans.