Biden Memoir Excerpt: Netanyahu Made Promises He Never Intended to Keep and Put His Own Politics First
In his memoir Promise Me, America, to be published on November 17, former U.S. President Joe Biden sharply criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, writing that during the Gaza war Netanyahu repeatedly made promises he had neither the power nor the intention to keep, and put his own political needs ahead of Israel's long-term interests. CNN and the Associated Press published new excerpts from the book on November 13-14.
Biden writes that he had known Netanyahu for decades and that the two could speak frankly, but that there was little trust between them. In private calls, he says, he repeatedly pressed Israel to take steps to reduce civilian suffering in Gaza; Netanyahu acknowledged that civilian casualties hurt Israel's image and weakened U.S. support for the war and promised to change course, yet another military operation causing more civilian deaths would follow.
Netanyahu, Biden writes, had no compunction about making promises he was neither able nor willing to fulfill; whenever Washington asked for explanations, the Israelis always had an explanation or an excuse, but the result was the same. He says he was frustrated that Netanyahu failed to think like a statesman and protect Israel's long-term interests, focusing instead on his immediate political needs and on staying in power.
Biden also defends his administration's continued support for Israel, rejects the claim that Netanyahu manipulated him, and calls the suffering in Gaza and the shortages of food and medicine a tragedy he carries with him. He warns that the next generation of American leaders may not share his generation's steadfast commitment to Israel. The memoir goes on sale on November 17.
(Source: CNN)
Source: CNN
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：2023年10月，时任美国总统拜登与以色列总理内塔尼亚胡在特拉维夫会晤（资料图）。白宫照片，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Then-President Joe Biden meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv in October 2023 (file photo). The White House, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
