Israel’s 11-day bombing of the Gaza Strip killed more than 200 Palestinians, injured nearly 2,000, and left the territory in rubble. Joe Biden “praised” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to end the current Hostilities”.

The president of the United States faces Unprecedented criticism Because it did not call for an immediate ceasefire to end Israel’s devastating bombing campaign, it put forward what human rights advocates called a “milquetoast” statement, reaffirming Washington’s clear support for Israel.

But despite such pressure, Biden has been Announcing a ceasefire On Thursday, it reiterated that “the United States fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself from random rocket attacks.”

Now, when the Palestinians in Gaza (living under a brutal blockade in one of the most densely populated areas on the planet) are trying to rebuild, experts say that the Biden administration hopes that the Israeli-Palestinian issue will once again become the highlight of American foreigners. Policy focus.

“When Bi came to power, the Israeli-Palestinian issue was not on the agenda. Like many others, he believed that the conflict really didn’t matter, it’s not a problem. [that] Israel can basically continue to do what it is doing, and we don’t need to pay attention to this,” Nader Hashemi, director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Denver, told Al Jazeera in an interview before the ceasefire. Arrived .

“Of course, the biggest question here is what will happen the next day? What is Biden’s plan? There is a zero plan.”

‘Go to priority’

When the Israeli military attacked Gaza on May 10, the Biden administration had hoped to “lower priority” the issue, while other more pressing topics include the recovery of COVID-19, racial justice, and the Iranian talks have become international The focus of attention.

In the past few days, the President of the United States and his senior officials Reiterate Israel’s “right to self-defense” also directly shifts the responsibility to Hamas, which fired a series of rockets at Israel.The Palestinian faction in charge of Gaza says it fired in response Israeli attack On the Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem.

As the number of Palestinian deaths increased, Israeli bombing destroyed buildings throughout the territory, including a tower with towers. Media office The appeals of Al Jazeera and the Associated Press, especially those of the Biden administration, have grown louder.Thousands of people assembly In cities across the United States, demand to stop Israeli attacks and American legislators speak out Opposing Biden’s sympathetic silence, long time Israel defends.

Today, the president had a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, reiterating his firm support for Israel to defend its right to defend itself from rocket attacks by Hamas and other terrorist organizations in Gaza, and condemning these indiscriminate killings and injuries to Israel. pic.twitter.com/baHWh1b6Q2

-White House (@WhiteHouse) May 15 2021

Biden administration officials had adhere to They are working behind the scenes to stop the violence.But the U.S. also Blocked The UN Security Council made several attempts to issue a statement calling for a ceasefire. Moreover, during the Gaza attack, the “Washington Post” reported that the Biden administration planned to sell US$735 million in weapons to the Israelis, in addition to plans to sell US$3.8 billion in weapons to Israel. Military assistance Washington donates to Israel every year.

“[US Secretary of State Antony Blinken] He said that the Biden administration’s strategy is to make Israel feel safer and more comfortable, and hopes that when it does so, it is willing to make concessions to the Palestinians and become a more reasonable partner for peace.

“Everything sounds good, enthusiastic and vague, but in fact, the records show that the opposite is true-the more Israel embraces and supports, the more willing it is to make any concessions, and Israel will become more belligerent and indomitable.”

Call for accountability

On May 17, eight days after Israel launched an offensive, Biden said for the first time: “Expressed support A “ceasefire” was reached during a phone call with Netanyahu. Biden then told Netanyahu on Wednesday: “He expects…the path to the ceasefire will be greatly escalated…”.

A day later, the violence was announced.In Gaza, at least 232 Palestinians, including 65 children, were killed, more than 1,500 were injured, and tens of thousands of Palestinians were in the country. Displaced. Twelve people in Israel, including twelve children, were killed.

Josh Rubner, a part-time lecturer at Georgetown University, said: “The policies of the Biden administration are shocking and despicable, making the United States 100% involved in Israel’s slaughter and atrocities against the Palestinians.”

Rubner told Al Jazeera that while it was certain that the Biden administration ultimately supported the ceasefire, “it’s not that they suddenly developed some kind of moral backbone,” but it responded to political pressure from the streets of the United States and the progressive Democratic Party.

He said: “All this political pressure is an effective means to make the Biden administration move in a better direction, but this pressure must be maintained now in order to assume responsibility after the ceasefire.” He urged the United States to implement the arms embargo against Israel as well as allegations. Other charges from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Palestinian human rights organizations have urge An independent investigation into the Israeli bombing in Gaza destroyed residential buildings and targeted media organizations and journalists.

In the United States, even before the Israeli offensive on Gaza began, the legislators had already started Questioning the U.S. annual military aid Israel.But most members of Congress carry on In order to support unconditional assistance to Israel, Biden insisted that the US-Israel relationship is an iron fist.

Nevertheless, the proposed $735 million arms deal has been widely criticized by progressive lawmakers, including Democratic Congressman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) forward A resolution on Wednesday tried to block the transfer.Independent Senator Bernie Sanders Bring in There was a similar resolution in that meeting room on Thursday.

“Even if Israel uses American weapons to target children, journalists, medical staff, and others, it is unreasonable. The United States still sends them more weapons to carry out this type of violence,” said Michael Ratner of the Policy Research Institute ( Michael Ratner) Middle East researcher Khury Petersen-Smith (Khury Petersen-Smith) research think tank told Al Jazeera about the deal.

A Palestinian man is inspecting the damage to a six-story building that was destroyed in an early morning airstrike on Gaza City on May 18 [File: Khalil Hamra/AP Photo]

Rubner said that “pressure from Congress will continue to push the Biden administration in the way it needs-even where it wants to go” policies towards Israel and Palestine. He warned that although the United States may try to restart the “peace talks” between Israel and Palestine, it has weakened the foundation of global Palestinian unity.

Rubena said: “The matter will not be resolved through negotiation.” “The matter will be resolved through the implementation of sanctions, responsible for Israel’s war crimes, and by isolating Israel as a recognized solution. Apartheid And be treated accordingly. In this way, things will move in the direction of resolution, rather than return to futile negotiations. “

“We want to liberate”

At the same time, Palestinian advocates urge people to maintain pressure and consider new strategies to defend Palestinian rights.

Mohammed el-Kurd (Mohammed el-Kurd) is a Palestinian resident in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem. His family is one of several people who have been forcibly displaced for Jewish settlers. At the beginning of the month, it was stated that the condemnation of the government was not enough.

Kurd said in a panel discussion of the Middle East Institute held on May 10: “I think it’s time for governments to sanction Israel. I don’t think it is unrealistic to require Israel to be sanctioned for its atrocities against the Palestinians. Request. I think this is the next step.”

Yara Asi, a non-resident researcher at the Arab Center in Washington, DC, also said that as Israel continues to oppress the Palestinians, it is dangerous to think that the situation will “return to calm” after a ceasefire is reached in Gaza.

“inside [past US] In the statement, what you heard was “restoring calm, restoring peace”, but unfortunately, this is not calm, nor peaceful.That’s not us [Palestinians] Think; we want liberation. We want human rights. We want full equality,” Assi told Al Jazeera.

“This seems to be brought up again only when there are terrible bombs and images of children on the autopsy table. If we don’t want to see these images, we must remain involved. We must prove that this is a global priority or it will be overthrown. Again.”