Haim Saban Responds To Biden Decision
In the latest development in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, media mogul and major Democratic donor Haim Saban has sent a critical email to top White House aides regarding President Joe Biden's threat to withhold arms shipments to support an Israeli military invasion of Rafah. This email, which was obtained by multiple media outlets including Axios, has sparked speculation about a potential rift between the Biden administration and one of its key donors.
According to reports, Saban described Biden's threats as "bad...bad...bad decision on all levels" and urged the White House to reconsider. He expressed concern about the message the decision would send to allies in the region and beyond and also noted that there are more Jewish voters who care about Israel than Muslim voters who care about Hamas. Saban's email was addressed to Steve Ricchetti and Anita Dunn, two of President Biden's most trusted aides.
The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter. However, a spokesperson for Saban also did not immediately comment. This incident comes in the wake of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which ended 11 days of violence that claimed hundreds of lives and left thousands injured. The agreement was largely credited to intensive diplomatic efforts by the Biden administration.
Breaking: Billionaire Haim Saban, one of the largest donors to the Democratic Party and to Biden personally, blasts Biden over his betrayal of Israel in a letter to White House
“There are more Jewish voters who care about Israel, than Muslim voters that care about Hamas”
_ pic.twitter.com/TGds8DZapZ— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) May 9, 2024
President Biden's statement in a recent interview with CNN's Erin Burnett has raised questions about the stance of the administration on the ongoing conflict. According to Bloomberg, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, John Kirby, assured reporters that Israel is still receiving the vast majority of weapons necessary for their defense. However, he did confirm that a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs has been put on hold due to Biden's concerns about a potential Israeli invasion of Rafah.
This incident has also brought attention to the relationship between President Biden and Haim Saban, who has been a key donor for the Democratic Party for many years. Saban famously hosted a fundraiser for Biden at his Beverly Park home in February and also hosted a 2020 virtual event that raised $4.5 million for the Biden campaign. However, Saban missed the February event after testing positive for COVID-19.
It is worth noting that Saban has been a vocal advocate for a strong US-Israel relationship and has often expressed concerns about the growing influence of extremist groups like Hamas in the region. At the same time, he has also been a staunch supporter of Democratic policies and candidates, including President Biden. This email, therefore, may indicate a disagreement between Saban and Biden on the best approach to handling the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The Biden administration has been facing increasing pressure from both sides of the political spectrum regarding its actions (or lack thereof) in the Israel-Gaza conflict.
While some have criticized the administration for not taking a strong stance in support of Israel, others have called for a more balanced approach that addresses the suffering of Palestinians. This incident highlights the difficult balancing act the administration has to perform in the region.