Woodward Book Excerpt Reveals Incite Into WH Reaction To Netanyahu
According to Bob Woodward's book "War," tensions between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appear to have reached new heights following the killing of Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander.
The incident, which took place in late July, has reportedly sparked a fiery confrontation between the two leaders, shedding light on their fraught relationship and differing views on military strategy.
Woodward recounts that Biden was furious after the airstrike that eliminated Shukr, who was regarded as one of Hezbollah’s top military strategists and a key figure in the organization’s operations. Biden allegedly erupted, saying, “Bibi, what the f***?” to Netanyahu, expressing concern that Israel's actions were damaging its international reputation.
His remark that Israel was increasingly viewed as a "rogue state, a rogue actor" underscores Biden's frustration over how Israel's military tactics could affect its standing on the global stage.
In response, Netanyahu defended the decision, pointing out that Shukr was a notorious terrorist leader, not just within Hezbollah but globally. His stance emphasized the strategic necessity of the strike, noting that a firm approach in dealing with such figures can lead to stronger positioning in any subsequent negotiations. “We saw an opportunity and took it,” Netanyahu reportedly said, illustrating a clear divergence from Biden’s cautious diplomatic approach.
Woodward's book also highlights Biden's private remarks about Netanyahu, portraying the U.S. President as openly distrustful and critical of the Israeli Prime Minister. Allegedly, Biden has referred to Netanyahu as “a bad fing guy” and a “fing liar,” showing deep-seated frustrations that extend beyond just policy disagreements.
Biden’s reported strategy to limit Netanyahu’s actions by telling him to “Do nothing” further reveals his efforts to constrain Israeli military initiatives that he sees as counterproductive.
The clash over the Rafah strategy during Israel's operations against Hamas also stands out as a point of contention between the two leaders. Biden is said to have dismissed Israel's maneuvers in Rafah as lacking any real strategy, despite the fact that Hamas had been cornered in that area.
This criticism highlights a broader disagreement on how best to handle militant threats and the strategic differences that have long strained the U.S.-Israel alliance under their respective leaderships.