With Israel poised to launch a direct assault on Hamas stronghold Rafah, U.S. Senator Chris Coons warns that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legacy faces a crossroads. President Biden's threat to withhold offensive aid from Israel raises questions about the future of the U.S.-Israel alliance.
In the midst of Israel's escalating conflict with Hamas, the legacy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hangs in the balance. Senator Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware, expressed concern that Netanyahu's decision to move forward with plans to invade Rafah, where millions of Palestinian civilians are sheltering, could have disastrous consequences for his legacy and for the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Coons, appearing on ABC's "This Week," highlighted the significant strategic and defensive failure Israel experienced on October 7th, a blemish on Netanyahu's record. He warned that further Israeli actions against Rafah could widen the gap between the U.S. and Israel, a development he described as "tragic."
According to Coons, Netanyahu's legacy could instead be one of regional security and peace for Israel. However, his vow to eradicate Hamas, even at the cost of losing allies, threatens to undermine that path. Netanyahu's defiant statement that Israel will "fight with our fingernails" if necessary has raised concerns about further civilian casualties.
Coons emphasized that while the U.S. will continue to provide defensive systems to Israel, it will closely scrutinize Netanyahu's next steps. Specifically, the U.S. will monitor whether Israel uses American-supplied munitions to attack Rafah and the civilians residing there, or if it chooses to work towards relocating those civilians.
The latter option, while not fully acceptable to the U.S. or Coons' preferred outcome, remains under consideration as officials strive to secure a deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. This deal would encompass a cease-fire, hostage release, a resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, and long-term Israeli security against Iran.
The United States has underscored that it will continue to provide Israel with defensive systems to safeguard its citizens. However, the path forward remains uncertain, with Netanyahu's decision on whether to invade Rafah potentially shaping both his legacy and the future of the U.S.-Israel alliance.
