Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel is unlikely to immediately change his approach to the Gaza war following President Biden’s decision to stand aside, even if he may privately welcome the president’s departure from the race, analysts said.
Mr. Netanyahu would most likely have freer rein in Gaza under a potential new Trump administration, but the prime minister must still work with Mr. Biden for the next six months, leaving him with little immediate room for maneuver, they said.
Until January, Mr. Biden will control the delivery of U.S. munitions to Israel, as well as the level of U.S. diplomatic support at the United Nations at a time when global scrutiny of Israel has rarely been higher.
“Of course, Netanyahu benefits from a politically weak Biden, who is blamed by the Israeli right for restraining Israel,” said Mazal Mualem, an Israeli political commentator and a biographer of Mr. Netanyahu.
“But Biden is still president and Netanyahu needs him,” she said.
Persons:
Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden’s, Netanyahu, Trump, Biden, Israel, ”, Mazal Mualem, Mr, “
Organizations:
Mr, United Nations
Locations:
Israel, Gaza