Despite tougher rhetoric, don’t doubt Biden’s commitment to Israel – US envoy

US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew downplays the notion of a widening rift between the United States and Israel over the war in Gaza.

“Allow me to challenge your premise,” Lew tells the Yedioth Ahronoth daily. “From the first hours of the war, through President Biden’s unprecedented visit to Israel during wartime, to his uncompromising willingness to provide military support that demonstrated the promise to have Israel’s back — there is no reason to doubt that the US and President Biden stand with Israel.”

“President Biden spoke clearly about Israel’s right and responsibility to defend itself and the need to do so in a way that reflects our shared values and in accordance with international norms,” Lew says.

“Israel must defeat Hamas as a military and political entity that endangers it. Security must be restored so that people can return to their homes, and the hostages must be returned — The president was absolutely clear on all these elements,” the envoy continues.

“There are moments when the closest of friends see things differently, and this should not be a surprise.”

“But when the president made the decision to support Israel, he understood — like all of us — that as the war progresses there would be political opposition,” Lew says.”His decision was one of deep conviction, not politics, to stand by Israel.”

“Therefore, when questions are asked about a particular decision or statement… it is critical to look at the facts of what President Biden did – and what he continues to do up to this very day,” the ambassador says.

Lew goes on to also reject the claim that the US is trying to topple Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. “I think this is a misconception. We try very hard not to interfere in the politics of other countries, especially our allies.”

As for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s call for early elections to replace Netanyahu, Lew says the White House does not tell lawmakers what to say.

Lew notes that amid reports of a deterioration in ties, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was still invited to Washington last week for what were “good meetings.”

The ambassador does not deny that there is a growing US distrust in Israel’s leadership as frustration mounts over the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

“The stories about the urgent need for food, water and sanitation are very disturbing, and we were clear about that,” Lew says, while noting that Israel has taken a number of steps after a massive amount of prodding from Washington.

“There has been tremendous progress, and there are large amounts of humanitarian aid going into Gaza. And there needs to be more. I won’t sit here and say the job is done. We need many more trucks to enter all parts of Gaza,” he adds.

Lew acknowledges that Israeli public opinion hasn’t been overwhelmingly supportive of delivering humanitarian aid into Gaza so long as Hamas holds onto hostages. However, “you must do this to maintain the support of the US and around the world.”

“I am convinced that in some time, this will not be remembered as a matter that we asked for, but as an issue that is in accordance with the values ​​of the State of Israel,” he argued.