In recent statements, President Joe Biden suggested that Hamas' attacks on Israel were intended to hinder the potential normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. According to pool reports, Biden made these comments at a campaign event on Friday night, stating that Hamas took action because they were aware of his upcoming meeting with the Saudis. The President also noted that the Saudis were interested in recognizing Israel.
The possibility of normalization between Israel and neighboring Arab countries had been previously discussed, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing optimism about achieving a "historic peace" between the two nations. This push for normalization had begun under former President Donald Trump's administration and was known as the Abraham Accords.
However, the recent violent attack by Hamas on October 7th, followed by the Israeli Defense Forces' retaliation in Gaza, has complicated the path towards normalization. The ongoing conflict has created challenges in bridging the divide between Israel and its neighboring Arab nations.
Efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, who have been suffering from limited access to food, water, and medical supplies due to the Israeli airstrikes, have been made. On Saturday, 20 trucks carrying approximately 3,000 tons of aid passed through the Rafah border crossing from Egypt, bringing much-needed assistance to the region.
In a recent speech at a fundraiser in Washington, D.C., President Biden reiterated his administration's commitment to supporting the existence of the Israeli state. He emphasized the importance of Israel's presence for the safety of Jews worldwide, including those in the United States.
Comparing the conflict to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Biden highlighted America's role in providing aid to its allies. He invoked former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's description of the U.S. as the "essential nation" and stressed the need for the U.S. to stand up against tyrannical actions.
President Biden's remarks underscore the complex dynamics at play in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the significance of international relationships in finding a resolution. The path to normalization between Israel and its neighboring Arab countries remains uncertain, but efforts to provide humanitarian aid and support the Israeli state continue.