The Pitfalls of Being a Client's 'Best Friend'

Netanyahu ignores Biden’s “constructive critique” because he knows very well that the president’s words aren’t backed up by anything.

Max Boot is puzzled that Biden’s unlimited indulgence earns Netanyahu’s contempt:

Last week, Biden’s frustration broke into public view. Speaking at a campaign fundraiser, the president stressed that he would provide “Israel what they need to defend themselves and to finish the job” against Hamas but also noted, accurately, that Israel is “starting to lose” international support because of its “indiscriminate bombing.” He went on to say that Netanyahu needs to “strengthen” the PA. “You cannot say there’s no Palestinian state at all in the future.”

Instead of accepting this constructive critique from a friend, Netanyahu chose to strike back publicly against Biden.

Netanyahu ignores Biden’s “constructive critique” because he knows very well that the president’s words aren’t backed up by anything. Biden’s words confirm that he isn’t going to do anything to pressure the Israeli government on any of these issues, so why would Netanyahu take his criticisms seriously? When the White House hurries to reassure everyone that the president’s remarks don’t have any practical implications and the government doesn’t agree with the president’s description of Israeli tactics, Netanyahu has nothing to fear. The one true thing that Biden said—that Israeli bombing has been indiscriminate—is the one thing that will evidently have no bearing on the president’s decisions.