Earlier today, President Joe Biden spoke with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for approximately thirty minutes. Immediately after their phone call, the White House released the following statement:
“President Biden spoke by telephone with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The two leaders discussed the situation in Gaza. President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable. He made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers. He made clear that U.S. policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps. He underscored that an immediate ceasefire is essential to stabilize and improve the humanitarian situation and protect innocent civilians, and he urged the Prime Minister to empower his negotiators to conclude a deal without delay to bring the hostages home. The two leaders also discussed public Iranian threats against Israel and the Israel people.
President Biden made clear that the United States strongly supports Israel in the face of those threats.”
What does the White House press release reveal regarding U.S. policy towards Israel?
First, the release of the 134 hostages held by Hamas terrorists is no longer a condition for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. In fact, a ceasefire, not the release of hostages or the defeat of Hamas or the future security of Israel against another attack from its enemies is the most important concern for the Biden Administration. In many ways, today’s press release confirms the policy shift that was first unveiled when the U.S. “abstained from the vote for a Chinese- and Russian-sponsored resolution for an immediate ceasefire not conditioned on the release of the hostages” (Jewish News Syndicate).
Second, U.S. support for Israel is fading. Since U.S. policy towards Israel is now conditioned upon what the U.S. deems as proper for Israel’s war against Hamas, the door is wide open for the U.S. to execute a variety of anti-Israel policies.
For instance, the U.S. could withhold munitions from Israel which would reduce Israel’s ability to win the war against Hamas and defend itself against future attacks from enemies like Iran and Hezbollah (Politico).
Next, the U.S. could threaten Israeli officials that if they do not end the war with Hamas it will support efforts to try them for war crimes (Jewish News Syndicate).
In addition, the U.S. could permit the Palestinian Authority to become a full member of the United Nations. By the way, with impeccable timing, the Palestinian Authority submitted a request on Tuesday for “the United Nations Security Council to vote this month on accepting the entity as a full member” (Jewish News Syndicate). While the “United States is expected to block the bid due to Washington’s long-standing policy that U.N. membership will only come as a result of a negotiated bilateral agreement between Israel and the Palestinians” it was reported in February “that the Biden administration was considering unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.” At this time, 140 countries have already recognized a Palestinian state. The U.S. could simply abstain during the U.N. Security Council vote, and the Palestinian Authority would become a full member of the United Nations.
Finally, the U.S. could level economic sanctions against Israel and its leader similar to what the Biden Administration did to Russia after it invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022 (CNN).
What does all of this mean for Israel? It means that Israel is more isolated than ever.
And the timing could not be worse. Not only have tensions been high during Ramadan, Islam’s holy month, recent reports reveal that Iran is preparing to attack Israel either directly or through one of its proxies in response to an alleged Israeli airstrike on an Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, which killed two generals and five officers on Monday (Associated Press).
In response, Israel has placed its embassies around the world on high alert (Jerusalem Post). The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also canceled home leave for all combat troops and scrambled GPS systems in Israel (The Time of Israel). Due to the increased threat, Israelis are “stockpiling supplies out of fear of an attack from Iran” even though the IDF claims there is no need to do so (Ynet News).
In light of these troubling developments, will you please join me in praying for Israel and for her people at this critical time?
God is not done with Israel. The stage is being set for the return of Jesus Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation. At that time, Jesus Christ will reign over Israel during the Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20) which means God is preparing Israel for the return of her King.
What will Jesus Christ’s Kingdom be like? According to Isaiah 9:7, “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.”
“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
by Dr. Matthew Dodd | April 4, 2024