Joe Biden’s open criticism shows patience with Israel is wearing thin
It is one of the classic cliches of diplomacy, that a country speaks supportively of its allies in public whilst taking a more honest and harder tone in private, and that has long been the common assumption for America’s dealings with Israel.
Occasionally, however, there comes a point when the behind-doors diplomacy isn’t having the desired effect and so a more open, and usually critical, approach is needed.
It seems like the White House has now reached that moment in this war.
Israel-Hamas latest: UN calls for immediate ceasefire in general assembly vote
Over recent weeks, it was becoming obvious that the US government was frustrated with Israel on two issues in particular: the high number of civilian casualties in Gaza and the lack of humanitarian aid being allowed in.
There has also been a disagreement over how long the intense fighting in this war can last – Israel says months, the US says weeks.
Comments made by the vice president, the defence secretary and secretary of state in recent days all reflected that shifting mood in Washington.
It is no secret that the White House is no fan of Israel’s extreme-right cabinet, but for the US president to clearly state that Netanyahu has to “change this government” is the bluntest expression of that to date.
Specifically, that relates to a disagreement between Washington and Israel over what happens ‘the day after’ in Gaza.
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Jewish activists chain themselves to White House
In recent weeks, the US has said the war must eventually end with the re-establishment of talks towards a two-state solution, but Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected that future, saying he will not let Gaza become “Hamastan or Fatahstan”, referring to the two main Palestinian political bodies.
Biden’s description of Israel’s bombing campaign as “indiscriminate” is language we are more used to hearing from Arab leaders, not the American president.
I have spent a large part of this year reporting on Netanyahu’s push for controversial judicial reforms in Israel and President Biden‘s opposition to them.
However, beyond denying Netanyahu an invitation to the White House, which will have stung someone of Bibi’s character, it’s hard to see how the US pressure had much effect on that particular matter.
If the reforms were stymied, it was more to do with fierce domestic opposition than opposition from the White House.
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UN votes for ceasefire resolution
This situation is different: the war in Gaza isn’t simply an internal Israeli issue, it has significant and extremely worrying regional consequences and the months ahead will require an extraordinary, and perhaps an unprecedented, alliance of Middle Eastern states to map out the future of Gaza and the West Bank.
The US does have diplomatic options that it could deploy if it feels ignored by Israel.
It could change its position within the UN Security Council, for example, and vote in favour of a ceasefire rather than rejecting one, as it did a few days ago.
This happened in 2009, when the UK government made a last-minute decision to vote in favour of a ceasefire, the US followed, and a ceasefire came into force a week later.
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Netanyahu’s popularity in Israel was in steady decline throughout the year as anger spread against the judicial reforms.
This war provided him with an unexpected respite, as the nation rallied and united to avenge the Hamas attacks.
More than two months on from that dreadful 7 October day, signs are once again emerging that Netanyahu’s position is fragile.
A recent poll on one Israeli TV station revealed that 72% of Israelis thought he should resign either immediately or once the war was over.
Reservist soldiers, who were among the most vocal and damaging opponents to the judicial reforms earlier this year, are now reportedly resentful of what they believe are shameless photo opportunities when Netanyahu visits them on the frontline.
And so faced with the return of domestic opposition to his premiership, can Netanyahu risk losing the support of the White House too?
The US remains supportive of Israel’s efforts to destroy Hamas, but is now clearly unimpressed with the way they are going about it.
Giant projections of Donald Trump alongside paedophile Jeffrey Epstein have been beamed on to Windsor Castle by protesters as the US president arrived in the UK for his second state visit.
Mr Trump has faced mounting questions about his relationship with the disgraced late billionaire after messages allegedly sent to him by the US president were published by Congress earlier this month.
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A giant image of Epstein
Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell
The US president’s mugshot was projected on the castle too
The apparent notes – which Mr Trump denies having written – appeared in a 2003 “birthday book” for Epstein.
Four people were arrested on “suspicion of malicious communications” after the images of Mr Trump and Epstein appeared on the landmark, Thames Valley Police said.
Two men were also arrested for breaching airspace restrictions in place for Mr Trump’s visit.
Donald Trump, Melania Trump and Jeffrey Epstein
Pic: Reuters
The president is being feted with a stay in Windsor Castle, where he will be hosted by the King and treated to a ceremonial welcome on Wednesday and later, a lavish state banquet.
The Prince and Princess of Wales will meet the president and first lady Melania Trump in the grounds of the Windsor estate, where he will spend the day, before heading to the prime minister’s country residence Chequers on Thursday.
It is hoped the Queen – who pulled out of attending the Duchess of Kent’s funeral on Tuesday after suffering from acute sinusitis – will recover in time to attend the busy run of royal events.
Read more: No one does pomp better than Britain
There are no public-facing engagements for the president throughout his 48-hour state visit, with thousands of people expected to take part in a major protest against his stay in central London today.
The Metropolitan Police said it is preparing for “a significant operation” with as many as 50 protest groups expected to take part.
More than 1,600 officers will be deployed, including 500 assisting from other forces.
A small group of protesters from the Stop Trump Coalition were in Windsor on Tuesday night.
Two protesters from the activist group Fossil Free London were escorted out of a dinner organised by Republicans Overseas UK at Windsor Guildhall in the Berkshire town.
They chanted “how many will you kill if you drill baby drill” and unfurled a banner that said: “Oily Money Kills” at the event.
Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One. Pic: Reuters
Speaking to reporters mid-flight, Mr Trump said: “My relationship is very good with the UK, and Charles, as you know, who’s now King, is my friend.
“It’s the first time this has ever happened where somebody was honoured twice. So, it’s a great honour.”
He told the journalists “everybody is looking forward to it. You’re going to have the best pictures”.
Tyler Robinson has been charged with the murder of right-wing US influencer Charlie Kirk.
The 22-year-old, from Washington, Utah, was charged with aggravated murder, weapon, and obstruction of justice offences ahead of a court appearance later on Tuesday.
Prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty and that Robinson’s DNA was found on the trigger of the alleged murder weapon.
A note was also found under his keyboard which said: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it,” according to a charging document from prosecutors.
It is also alleged that the suspect ordered his roommate to delete “incriminating texts” about the killing and to stay silent if questioned by police.
When his roommate texted to ask if he was the “one who did it”, Robinson replied: “I am, I’m sorry,” prosecutors allege.
Robinson is said to have written in another text: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
He also allegedly wrote he had been planning the shooting for just over a week.
Tyler Robinson. Pic: Utah Governor’s Office
Kirk, 31, was killed at one of his rallies at Utah Valley University last Wednesday.
The political activist, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, died after being shot in the neck with a bullet.
County attorney Jeff Gray said “aggravating factors” in the killing included that the “defendant is believed to have targeted Charlie Kirk based on his political expression and did so knowing children were present and would witness the homicide”.
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The obstruction of justice charges relate to allegations that Robinson disposed of the weapon used in the killing, along with clothing he is said to have worn at the time.
Robinson has been held without bail since his arrest.
Investigators have spoken to Robinson’s relatives and have carried out a search at his family home, 240 miles (385km) southwest of where the shooting took place.
Charlie Kirk moments before he was shot. Pic: Reuters/Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune
Mr Gray said Robinson had accused Kirk of “spreading hate” during a conversation with his father. He also allegedly described the university as a “stupid venue” for the influencer to hold an event.
After the shooting, the county attorney said the suspect confessed to his parents after they confronted him, telling them he shot Kirk because “there is too much evil in the guy”.
Robinson’s mother told police that her son had become more political and had “started to lean more to the left” in the past year or so, Mr Gray said.
He added that the 22-year-old had become more “pro-gay and trans-rights oriented”, according to his parents.
His mother said he had started to date his roommate, who was “transitioning genders”, prompting “discussions” with his father who had very different political views.
Robinson allegedly wrote in another message to his roommate that “since Trump got into office [my father] has been pretty diehard Maga”.
US
FBI director Kash Patel shouts at Democrat senators over Charlie Kirk and Jeffrey Epstein during oversight hearing
The FBI director has shouted at Democratic senators during a hearing, taking questions on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Jeffrey Epstein and the firing of agents.
Kash Patel was testifying before a Senate Judiciary Committee for the first oversight hearing of his tenure as director of the US federal law enforcement bureau.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Mr Patel defended the FBI’s handling of the investigation into the killing of Mr Kirk, as well as his social media post saying that a suspect had been arrested, before that person was ultimately released.
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“Could I have been more careful in my verbiage and included ‘a’ subject instead of ‘the’ subject? Sure,” he said of the post.
Democratic senator Cory Booker opened his questioning by accusing Patel of lying about firing FBI agents out of retribution for political investigations.
Five FBI agents and top-level executives were known to have been summarily fired last month, according to the Associated Press.
Booker accused Patel of making the US ‘weaker and less safe’. Pic: AP
Mr Booker said that the director “pushed out senior FBI agents with decades of knowledge and experience”, and added: “You’ve shifted the agency’s priorities primarily to pursuing Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda.
“I believe you have made our country weaker and less safe.”
Mr Patel responded that “you don’t get to say that America is not safer under this leadership”, and said that Mr Booker’s “rant of false information does not bring this country together”, prompting the Democrat to raise his voice.
Read more on Charlie Kirk:
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The two then shouted at each other before committee chair and Republican senator Chuck Grassley banged his gavel to interrupt them.
“I’ve watched him talk over us, and you’ve never once criticised him for us,” Mr Booker said to the chair as he got up to leave the room. “He has been really disrespectful to senator after senator.”
Mr Patel also clashed with Adam Schiff over Jeffrey Epstein. Pic: AP
Mr Patel also clashed with Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, who questioned the FBI and Trump administration’s handling of questions relating to the deceased paedophile financier Epstein.
The director accused him of “the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate” as they shouted at each other, and said “you are a political buffoon, at best”.
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Mr Patel, a former lawyer who has been accused of spreading conspiracy theories, was controversially nominated to be the FBI director by US President Donald Trump last year.
He was narrowly confirmed by the Senate in a 51-49 vote in February. Two Republicans voted against his nomination.
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