White House considers it inappropriate that Netanyahu called pro-Palestine protesters ‘useful idiots’
The White House distanced itself from the statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday regarding the pro-Palestinian protests as being “Iran’s useful idiots,” claiming that this is not appropriate and generalizable.
Pressing down the comment by Netanyahu during the speech made before a joint session of the US Congress, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby replied, “That’s not a phrase we would use.” He said that Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines admonished this point, though he denies it, asserting that Iran has sought to interfere.
Kirby said at the White House that everyone cannot be painted with that brush and added that they have attempted to cause division and have financially supported some of the protests. He stressed the notion that the majority of protest activities here in the United States are nonviolent, spontaneous, and generally initiated by genuine concerned citizens, which forms the success of democracy.
Netanyahu sought congressional permission in support of the aggression on the besieged Gaza Strip, where over 40,000 Palestinians were killed. His speech was a thundering success as everyone present was on their feet clapping and cheering, but about half, the congressional Democrats did not attend this event. This decision shows that there is a divide in the Democratic party over Israel with what is quite a dramatic move away from traditionally unanimous support among both Democrats and Republicans.
In the recent past, the sympathy of the American public has shifted a bit to the side of Palestinians. Tens of thousands of people rallied in Washington over Congress’s decision to invite Netanyahu as speaker at the Congress time when Israel stands accused of genocide at the UN’s highest court.
Thus, the inter-party division and shifts in American public opinion highlight a critical turning point in the US foreign policy. While Netanyahu is looking for unconditional backup regarding what is happening in Gaza, the White House and many politicians are in a very complicated political environment at the same time. It is difficult for the Biden administration to navigate between the old-school forging of relations and the new spirit pervading the society together with humanitarian thinking.
Ending hostilities in Gaza is still important; President Biden and Vice President Harris are involved in resolving the humanitarian situation. Thus, the longer the conflict goes on and casts its shadow over the populace and opinion, the more the reconciliation may increase aid to the administration both at home and abroad, which might be helpful for Harris’s planned presidential campaign after Biden’s approval to succeed him.
