Biden Restrains Israel Through WP Op-Ed, Netanyahu Declares “We Will Fight Until the End”; Germany and Turkey at Odds Over War

As Israel’s airstrikes on the Gaza Strip intensify, the world is showing signs of division. The U.S., which has been fully supportive of Israel, has begun to restrain Israel’s actions, and tensions are rising in Europe among countries supporting either Israel or Palestine.

On the 18th (local time), U.S. President Joe Biden wrote in a column for The Washington Post (WP), “After the war, the Palestinian Authority should ultimately govern the Gaza Strip and the West Bank,” adding, “Forced displacement of Palestinian residents in the Gaza Strip, reoccupation, siege, and territory reduction should not happen.”

The Biden administration previously set forth four principles: △No forced displacement of Palestinian residents △No reoccupation of the Gaza Strip by Israel △No territory reduction in the Gaza Strip △No use of the Gaza Strip as a terrorist base.

He also warned Israeli extremists who have committed violence against Palestinian residents in the West Bank.

President Biden stated, “Those who commit violence must be held accountable,” adding, “The U.S. is ready to take measures such as banning the issuance of visas to them.” He also said, “Our administration has insisted from the beginning that we must prioritize minimizing the loss of innocent lives and protecting civilians,” and “While staying in Tel Aviv, I advised Israel not to repeat the mistakes made in the past due to wounds and anger.”

On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly emphasized his unwillingness to stop the war. He stated at a press conference, “Pressure from the U.S. and elsewhere towards us is increasing,” and “They are pressuring us to agree to a complete ceasefire, but we have made it clear that we will only agree to a temporary ceasefire for hostage return.” He also stressed, “We will fight until we win,” and “We will do so until we destroy Hamas and bring the hostages home.”

Since the outbreak of the war, the West, including the U.S. and the European Union (EU), has been supporting Israel. However, recently, as opposition voices over weapons and financial support have emerged in various countries, they are facing difficulties. Bloomberg pointed out that Israel’s hardline stance and increasing civilian casualties are exacerbating the frustration of their allies.

In Europe, Germany and Turkey, known as ‘uncomfortable partners,’ are in conflict.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, who visited Germany for the first time since the Libyan civil war in 2020, condemned Israel at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, saying, “There is no law that allows the shooting of hospitals or the killing of children.”

He specifically pointed to Germany, saying, “We can speak freely as we did not experience the Holocaust and do not owe anything to Israel,” and “On the other hand, those who are in debt cannot speak freely.” He implied that Germany is hesitating to criticize Israel due to the Holocaust committed against Jews in the past.

In contrast, Chancellor Scholz countered, “As long as the Palestinian armed group Hamas does not lose its ability to attack, long-term peace cannot be established in this region,” and “Germany supports Israel.” He added, “We must enable Israel’s right to self-defense, and there should be no doubt about it.” He also expressed his displeasure by saying, “The solidarity between Israel and Germany is not a matter to discuss with Turkey.”

The two countries, which have historically maintained an uneasy partnership, seem to have to face each other more in the foreseeable future. France 24 explained, “The relationship between the two countries has always been uneasy, but Germany recognizes the need to involve Turkey in solving the current difficult problems,” and “From the war in Ukraine to the issue of immigrant influx, Turkey still plays an important role.”