In a recent article published by Politico columnist Jonathan Martin, it was claimed that President Biden privately referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a "bad f---ing guy." However, the White House swiftly denied the allegations, with Biden spokesperson Andrew Bates emphasizing the longstanding respectful relationship between the two leaders.

According to Martin, Biden holds a "deep-seated fear" that Netanyahu may exploit American interest in the Israel-Hamas conflict to drag the United States into a wider war in the Middle East. This concern, Martin suggests, could lead to international pressure on Netanyahu to agree to a Gaza cease-fire, thereby alleviating both domestic political difficulties and the flow of American weapons to the region.

The article highlights the growing disenchantment with Netanyahu among even staunchly pro-Israel Democratic lawmakers. Martin quotes a House Democrat who described a dinner with fellow lawmakers, where it was unanimously agreed that the Israel-Gaza conflict needed to end promptly and that Biden should stand up to Netanyahu. The lawmaker expressed concern over the base's anger, indicating that it extended beyond leftists and described the depth of anguish regarding the Gaza issue as unprecedented.

President Biden has also faced criticism from former Obama officials over the alignment of his public support for Netanyahu with his re-election campaign. Tommy Vietor, a former Obama official and podcast host, noted the potential challenges that arise when public and private messaging are not aligned. He argued that the public does not witness Biden confront Netanyahu directly over the phone.

While the Biden campaign has not provided any comments on the matter to Fox News Digital, it is evident that President Biden is under pressure from progressives to reassess his relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The extent to which Biden will distance himself from Netanyahu remains to be seen, but it is clear that the Israel-Gaza conflict has reignited debates over U.S. policy towards Israel and has deepened divisions within the Democratic party.

As the situation unfolds, it will be essential for President Biden to find a delicate balance that both addresses the concerns of progressives and upholds the longstanding alliance between the United States and Israel. The outcome could have significant implications not only for U.S.-Israel relations but also for broader Middle East dynamics.