The Biden administration’s approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict has come under fire, with critics arguing the approach has wrongly pressured Israel while placating Hamas.
The White House press secretary supported the idea of a ceasefire deal with Hamas, putting the onus on them to accept generous Israeli terms.
“The significant focus of that … call was obviously on securing the release of all … hostages and paving the way to a prolonged cease-fire that would provide relief to the people of Gaza,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
“In recent days, there has been new progress in talks, and currently, the onus is indeed on Hamas,” she said.
“There is a deal on the table, and they need to take it,” Jean-Pierre said. “We believe that all efforts need to be brought to bear to convince Hamas to accept the proposal immediately.”
“It is a priority to get to a cease-fire. And is obviously … a priority to get that all-important humanitarian aid into Gaza,” she said.
However, critics argued that negotiating with terrorists legitimizes them and won’t achieve lasting peace given Hamas’ broader demands and history of breaking past ceasefires.
Opponents believe the Biden administration is pushing a flawed deal that won’t solve the conflict, but rather appease anti-Israel Democrats for political reasons.
“Hamas has before it a proposal that is extraordinarily — extraordinarily — generous on the part of Israel. And in this moment, the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a cease-fire is Hamas,” Biden’s secretary of state, Antony Blinken said.
Such critics feel the administration should not negotiate with Hamas or signal that terrorism is an effective tactic.
