President Joe Biden and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a phone call on Sunday, discussing Israel’s security and the situation in Gaza, amid growing protests on U.S. college campuses and the possibility of an invasion in Rafah.
During the call, Biden reaffirmed the United States’ strong commitment to Israel’s security, especially after Iran’s recent missile and drone attack on the country. The leaders also talked about efforts to secure the release of hostages and achieve a ceasefire, as well as providing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
However, there were differences between the two leaders regarding Israel’s plans in Gaza’s Rafah city. While Netanyahu is considering a ground offensive there, Biden made it clear that he opposes such a move.
“The leaders discussed Rafah and the President reiterated his clear position,” the White House said in a statement.
More than a million Palestinians are currently seeking shelter in Rafah, making it a critical concern.
Earlier on Sunday, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated on ABC News that Israel had assured the U.S. they would not enter Rafah until they had a chance to discuss concerns with them.
The call comes as pro-Palestinian protests are happening on college campuses across the U.S. While the demands of the protesters vary, many are calling for an end to the conflict and for universities to divest from companies doing business with Israel.
Biden has faced criticism from progressives and Muslim Americans for his support of Israel following a recent terrorist attack by Hamas. At the same time, there are calls for him to condemn the rising antisemitism on college campuses.
This conversation marks the first phone call between Biden and Netanyahu since April 4. During their earlier call, Biden expressed concern about Israeli airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of seven humanitarian workers from the World Central Kitchen.
Following the deaths of the aid workers, Biden publicly criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the situation, stating that he disagreed with his approach.
