Bibi pushes back against Biden: Most Americans continue to support Israel

Bibi pushes back against Biden: Most Americans continue to support Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday pushed back against President Biden’s recent warning that Israel will lose support worldwide if its “incredibly conservative” government continues down its current path.

Why it matters: Netanyahu’s comments, framed by his office as a “response to President Biden,” underscore the growing tensions between two leaders as the war in Gaza drags on.

What they’re saying: Biden warned on NBC’s “Late Night With Seth Meyers” show Monday night that Israel will lose support around the world if Netanyahu’s government continues on its current path.

• “Israel has had the overwhelming support of the vast majority of nations. If it keeps this up with this incredibly conservative government they have, and Ben-Gvir and others…they’re gonna lose support from around the world, and that is not in Israel’s interest,” Biden said, referring to Israel’s ultranationalist National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
• Biden said, however, “there is a path forward,” which includes a hostage deal with a ceasefire during the month of Ramadan. “That gives us time to begin to move in directions that a lot of Arab countries are prepared to move in,” he said. “For example, Saudi Arabia’s ready to recognize Israel.”

Netanyahu pushed back on Tuesday, claiming in a video that he’s led a successful campaign aimed at “countering international pressure to end the war ahead of time and mobilize support for Israel.”

• He appeared to cite a recent Harvard-Harris poll that found more than 80% of those surveyed in the U.S. supported Israel more than Hamas in the current conflict.
• “This gives us more backing to continue the war until the total victory,” Netanyahu said.

This is a developing story. Please check back for details.

Get the rundown of the biggest stories of the day with Axios Daily Essentials.