Biden's Visit Sends the Wrong Message

A presidential visit at this time amounts to an endorsement of what the Israeli government has already done and what it is preparing to do.

NBC News reports on the president’s planned trip to Israel this week as if they were writing a White House press release:

President Joe Biden will travel to Israel this week, putting himself in harm’s way to show that he stands squarely with the country as it reels from Hamas’ surprise attack and prepares a ground invasion meant to wipe out the militant group on its border.

The report is probably overstating the security risks of Biden’s visit, but it doesn’t take the other downsides seriously enough. A presidential visit at this time amounts to an endorsement of what the Israeli government has already done and what it is preparing to do. You could hardly ask for a clearer signal of reflexive support than having the president travel thousands of miles to give his personal seal of approval to the war.