In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden has quickly reversed his suggestion of conditioning future military aid to Israel, stating that it was merely a "worthwhile thought." Administration officials have swiftly shut down any discussion of implementing such conditions. The about-face comes as senior U.S. officials clarified that there will be no immediate restrictions on support for Israel.

While Biden's initial comment hinted at a potential shift in the administration's Israel policy, insiders suggest that it was more an expression of the president's private frustrations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Biden has long been critical of Netanyahu and has voiced concerns about his leadership. These concerns likely influenced his remark on aid conditioning.

Despite Biden's change in stance, his current position may bring him into conflict with members of his own party. Senate Democrats have met to discuss pressuring the White House to condition military aid, with some pointing out that existing regulations can be used to restrict aid if necessary. However, there is opposition from both Republicans and Democrats to this idea.

The push for conditioning aid to Israel gained traction after progressive Democrats advocated for a full cease-fire and raised concerns about Israel's actions in Gaza. Senator Bernie Sanders was the first to propose withholding weapons until certain stipulations, such as halting "indiscriminate bombing" and committing to peace talks, were met. This newfound support from progressive lawmakers has emboldened others to back the idea, although there are still strong opposition voices.

The Biden administration has urged Israel to exercise greater precision and caution in its operations, particularly as it plans to resume ground operations in the south, where civilians have sought refuge. Officials have advised Israel to modify its initial invasion plans with limited success. The administration seeks to strike a delicate balance between supporting Israel and appeasing the left flank of the Democratic Party, which has become increasingly critical of the president's stance.

Biden's unwavering support for Israel's offensive has stirred controversy, with some Democrats threatening not to vote for his re-election due to their disagreement with his position. Critics argue that existing regulations pertaining to human rights violations should be enough to impose conditions on military support, highlighting Israel's high casualty rates in Gaza.

The president's brief openness to conditioning aid has shattered a longstanding Washington taboo. Leaders from both parties have been resistant to implementing such conditions, fearful of disrupting the U.S.-Israel relationship. The irony lies in Biden's historical support for Israel, as he becomes the first president to entertain the idea of restrictions on aid, even if only fleetingly.

While Biden's comments have sparked speculation, administration officials have not contradicted his remarks or misstated the administration's stance on Israel policy. The president's team aims to move past this media cycle and continue supporting Israel's goal of defeating Hamas. As efforts to secure the release of hostages intensify, the administration has dispatched CIA Director Bill Burns to Qatar for discussions with Israeli and Egyptian counterparts.

In the end, President Biden's consideration of conditioning military aid to Israel seems to have been short-lived. The president's priority remains achieving tangible outcomes in the region, despite the ongoing debates surrounding aid restrictions. As Biden navigates the delicate balancing act between supporting Israel and appeasing critics within his party, the future of U.S.-Israel relations remains a subject of continued speculation.

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