During his interview with Lulu Garcia-Navarro for the New York Times, Blinken identified two major obstacles in efforts to negotiate the release of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. One of the key impediments was the “public daylight” created by the US’s criticism of Israel, which inadvertently strengthened Hamas's position. Blinken admitted that every time public pressure was applied on Israel, Hamas retreated from talks regarding ceasefires and hostages. It’s troubling that it took the administration so long to realize the damaging effect of their actions. Either the Biden Administration was too inept to see the obvious consequences, or they deliberately chose to act with political calculation over strategic clarity, all at the expense of innocent lives.
The sequence of events, especially from October 7, 2023—the day of Hamas's horrific attack—seems to have unfolded in predictable ways. Anyone who observed the situation closely knew that Hamas would exploit international condemnation and call for ceasefires to delay or avoid its inevitable defeat. Yet, in the face of mounting propaganda, the Biden Administration faltered, progressively falling into Hamas's trap. Initially, President Joe Biden did challenge Hamas’s inflated casualty figures, but by 2024, the administration was no longer immune to their manipulative tactics. As incidents of anti-Semitism rose, particularly in the US, the administration shifted from condemning Hamas’s terror to pressuring Israel to halt its military operations prematurely.
By February 2024, President Biden’s rhetoric had taken a turn, stating that Israel's response to the October 7 massacre was “over the top.” Just weeks later, Vice President Kamala Harris was publicly threatening a change in US policy toward Israel unless the situation improved. This pressure, along with military and diplomatic actions like halting arms shipments to Israel over the Rafah issue, compounded the global campaign against Israel’s right to defend itself.
The most alarming aspect of the administration’s actions was its pandering to the anti-Semitic rhetoric that gained traction within certain domestic factions. In an attempt to appease Muslim voters in swing states like Michigan, the Biden Administration distanced itself from Israel, endorsing positions that emboldened Hamas and its supporters. These moves culminated in statements that undermined Israel’s right to self-defense and implied that Israel should prioritize ceasefires over the destruction of Hamas. This decision not only made the hostages’ release more difficult but also deepened divisions in American society and abroad.
The disastrous consequences of these missteps are evident. The hostage crisis dragged on longer than necessary, and Israel’s operations to dismantle Hamas were jeopardized. Publicly undermining Israel did little to alleviate the suffering of the hostages or improve the security of Americans and Israelis alike.
Looking back, the Biden Administration’s handling of the situation raises troubling questions. The US failed to take the necessary steps to bring hostages home sooner. Instead, it sought an unrealistic peace based on appeasing extremists, ultimately feeding Hamas's narrative while neglecting the real goal: the safety of innocent civilians.
Had the administration prioritized the defeat of Hamas and the safe return of the hostages, it could have built a foreign policy success. A firm stance with Israel, alongside efforts to curb anti-Semitic violence, might have even garnered more support among swing-state voters. In the end, the administration’s failure to act decisively led to a wasted year—one in which the hostage crisis continued, violence escalated, and the long-term prospects for peace grew more uncertain.
With President-Elect Donald Trump’s warning that Hamas will face “hell to pay” for their refusal to release hostages, there may be a glimmer of hope for a resolution soon. Yet, the Biden Administration’s legacy will forever be tainted by its inability to learn from its mistakes in 2024. This wasted year could have been avoided with clearer judgment, more courage, and a greater sense of responsibility to protect the people it is sworn to serve.
Israel national news contributed to this article.
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