AS the bodies continue to pile up in Gaza, Israel’s most steadfast supporter is beginning to change its tone, though mildly, reflecting growing unease in the Western camp over Tel Aviv’s blood-soaked rampage in the besieged Strip. President Joe Biden, who stated at a recent White House Hanukkah event that “I am a Zionist” — not for the first time — also had some advice for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a reference to extremist Jewish members of the Israeli cabinet, Mr Biden advised Mr Netanyahu to change his government. He added that “they [Israel] are starting to lose” support due to bestial violence in the occupied territories, while observing that a future Palestinian state cannot be wished away by Israel. Not that these words had much impact on Tel Aviv’s warmongers. The Israeli prime minister asserted that “nothing will stop” his country until “victory” had been achieved in Gaza. Perhaps by victory, Mr Netanyahu means the annihilation of the Gazan population, or their forced exodus.

This soft US criticism may have come a little late in the day: nearly 19,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have perished at the hands of the Israeli war machine since the Hamas attack of Oct 7. But perhaps the fact that Israel has crossed all red lines is finally dawning on Washington, even though the US staunchly continues to oppose a ceasefire. The global majority has realised that a genocidal war is unfolding in Gaza, and has called for an end to Israeli atrocities. This has been reflected in the most recent non-binding UN General Assembly vote calling for a ceasefire, which was supported by 153 states. The US was the only major world power to oppose calls for a long-term truce. Incidentally, the number of states backing ceasefire calls has grown considerably since the General Assembly last voted on the issue in October. Even some of America’s Western allies have backed calls for a cessation of hostilities. People around the world, now including many governments, have come to the realisation that what is happening in Gaza is outright massacre, not self-defence on Israel’s part. Will the international community find the courage to restrain Israel and stop its extermination campaign? If Mr Biden is sincere in his concern for Palestinian deaths, perhaps he should halt arms transfers to Israel.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2023