WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden held a phone call on Sunday with the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu against the backdrop of growing protests on US college campuses and a possible imminent invasion by Rafa.
The two discussed common ground, with Biden “reaffirming[ing] his firm commitment to Israel’s security” after Iran missile and drone attack in the country earlier this month, the White House readout said. The leaders reviewed hostage and ceasefire discussions and also spoke about humanitarian aid in Gaza.
But the call also highlighted the light of day between the two on Israeli strategy in the city of Rafa. Netanyahu shows no signs of backing down from a ground offensive in that country – a potential move that the US publicly opposes.
“The leaders discussed Rafah and the President reiterated his clear position,” said the read he said.
More than a million Palestinians are currently sheltering in the city.
Earlier on Sunday, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby he said during an interview with ABC News that the Israelis “assured us that they will not enter Rafah until we have a chance to really share our perspectives and concerns with them.”
“So we’ll see where this goes,” he added.
The call comes as pro-Palestinian protests sweep university campuses. Although protesters’ demands differ between schools, many of the student organizers they are calling for an end to the war and urging their universities to divest from companies doing business in Israel.
Biden faced criticism American progressives and Muslims for their support of Israel, a long-time US ally, following Hamas’ surprise terrorist attack on October 7. called in it to denounce the uprising antisemitism on college campuses.
Sunday’s conversation was Biden and Netanyahu’s first phone call since April 4when Biden spoke to Netanyahu after an Israeli airstrike killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers.
During the previous April conference call, Biden “emphasized that strikes targeting aid workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” according to the White House. read.
In the days following April 1st, humanitarian workers deathsThe administration’s public rhetoric toward the Israeli government intensified as the president criticized his Israeli counterpart more than previously. Biden said in early April that he thinks Netanyahu is making a “mistake” in his handling of the war, adding: “I don’t agree with his approach.”
This article was originally published in NBCNews. with
