Portrait of Itamar Ben Gvir
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Itamar Ben Gvir on Joe Biden

Vocal Biden critic (strong)

TL;DR

Itamar Ben Gvir strongly opposes President Biden, accusing him of aiding Hamas and hindering Israel's war efforts.

Key Points

  • He asserted that the Hamas terror group loves President Biden following the U.S. decision to potentially curb weapon shipments in May 2024.

  • The minister criticized the Biden administration in a February 2024 interview for hindering Israel's war effort by focusing on humanitarian aid to Gaza.

  • In July 2023, following criticism from the U.S. President about Israel's far-right government, he stated Israel is "no longer a star" on the American flag.

Summary

Itamar Ben Gvir is a vocal critic of U.S. President Joe Biden, particularly concerning the administration's approach to the war against Hamas. The National Security Minister publicly accused the President of actions that benefit the terror group, such as when he posted an image stating "Hamas ❤️ Biden" after Biden threatened to withhold certain arms shipments if Israel advanced into Rafah. Ben Gvir contended that instead of giving Israel full backing, the President focuses on humanitarian aid for Gaza, which he claims goes to Hamas. He frequently contrasts Biden's policies unfavorably with those of former President Donald Trump, suggesting Trump would offer more robust support for Israel's aggressive stance.

This stance has drawn widespread condemnation from Israeli opposition leaders and even the Israeli President, who noted that such statements harm national security and pointed to the need to avoid insulting remarks between allies. Ben Gvir's rhetoric has historically targeted Biden’s perceived limitations on Israel, including past criticism from Biden about Israel’s far-right government and settlement expansion. In response to earlier criticism from the U.S. President, the minister asserted that Israel is "no longer a star" on the American flag, signaling a belief that the U.S. is not providing unconditional support.

Key Quotes

"Instead of giving us his full backing, Biden is busy with giving humanitarian aid and fuel (to Gaza), which goes to Hamas."

Frequently Asked Questions

Itamar Ben Gvir's primary criticism of Joe Biden is the accusation that the U.S. President's policies, particularly regarding humanitarian aid to Gaza, effectively benefit the Hamas terror group. He often expresses this view through direct social media posts criticizing the administration's stance on the conflict.

Yes, the National Security Minister has explicitly stated that former President Donald Trump would have taken a completely different, more supportive approach to Israel. He contrasts Trump's supposed robust backing with what he perceives as the current administration's hindering of Israel's war aims.

The post elicited strong condemnation from Israeli opposition leaders and even the Israeli President, who called for Ben Gvir’s dismissal. Critics argued that his messaging was infantile and dangerously damaged crucial national security interests and relations with the key ally.