Israel Sees Vindication in U.N.’s Report, but Tensions Between Them Rise
New York TimesFeb 28
EU Maritime Aid Corridor to Gaza May Begin This Weekend
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The Facts
European Commission Pres. Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday that a maritime corridor between Cyprus and Gaza may open as soon as this weekend, with a ship docked in the port of Larnaca preparing to deliver food in a test run. Israel reportedly welcomed the news, though it signaled that security checks would still be required.
Humanitarian group Refugees International has accused Israel of blocking "legitimate relief operations" and generating "famine-like conditions" in Gaza. However, Israel claims it has expanded its capacity for aid delivery to the coastal enclave.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Israel must be able to defend itself from terrorist attacks from Gaza or elsewhere, and the US is committed to preventing malicious actors from threatening Israel's legitimate concerns. However, the Biden admin. is losing its patience with Netanyahu's intransigence. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is rapidly getting out of hand, and the situation must be remedied. The Biden admin. is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of Palestinian civilians and is now taking its own steps to alleviate this dreadful situation.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israel will always be thankful for the US' steadfast support, but the Biden admin. needs to refrain from tying Israel's hands behind its back. Hamas is simply not interested in negotiating in good faith and has consistently shown its preference for violence. In contrast, Israel has done everything it can to ensure the safety of civilians in a war it didn't want, even going so far as to put its own soldiers at risk just to preserve this principle. Israel will pursue its goals, which are incredibly popular with its citizens, regardless of whether it annoys Washington or anyone else.
Pro-Palestine narrative
The Biden admin., increasingly anxious over the upcoming election, has resorted to cheap tactics to deny its support for Israel's brutal war on Gaza. Regardless of the spin, Biden has armed Israel, given it diplomatic cover, and refused to call for a permanent cease-fire — all of which incentivizes continued bloodshed. Palestinians are literally starving to death, and Biden would rather wax about cockamamie plans for new aid delivery mechanisms like building a port instead of taking concrete action to deter Israel's criminal behavior — which would be unsustainable without US support.
