The True Cost of Biden’s Unconditional Support for Israel

In the past few weeks, public attention has shifted from Biden’s support for Israel’s slaughter in Gaza to another example of Biden’s intransigence: his unwillingness to withdraw from the presidential race after a catastrophic first debate. For Americans who have not been paying attention, Biden’s stubborn refusal to listen to ever-increasing calls for him to step aside may seem bewildering. This is especially maddening for many of my former colleagues inside the State Department, who had seen Biden as someone who, unlike Trump, would be guided by reason, morality, and U.S. interests. But to me and others who have watched Biden ignore both the moral and strategic imperatives for withdrawing support from Israel, the president’s current obstinance is unsurprising.

Until now, many Americans have been able to look away; they do not click on the link that shows them what is happening in Gaza; they are not woken by nightmares of people screaming. But as Netanyahu’s government strikes further and further afield, risking a massive regional war that could ensnare American troops as well, Americans may find the damage wrought by U.S. policy harder to ignore.

By maintaining its unconditional support, the United States is increasing the likelihood that Netanyahu may launch a full-out war with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Biden administration has consistently said it wishes to avoid a regional war and has publicly taken credit for preventing one. But the main reason open war hasn’t broken out is that Hezbollah and Iran have demonstrated restraint. According to the nonprofit Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, Israel is responsible for 83 percent of the missiles crossing the Israeli-Lebanese border. Hezbollah’s leaders have indicated their unwillingness to expand the war and desire for a cease-fire in Gaza. Likewise, after Israel destroyed the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1, Iran’s retaliation was limited, and Tehran ignored Israel’s subsequent provocations. However, Kamal Kharrazi, foreign affairs adviser to Ayatollah Khamenei, said that if the war expands, “Iran would have no choice but to support Hezbollah by all means.” He added that the expansion of the war is not in anyone’s interest.