Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Joe Biden calls for a "de-escalation"
This is the first time since the start of the bombing in Gaza that the Americans have publicly reported pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu.
AP - Andrew Harnik
Text by: RFI Follow
5 mins
Hitherto very cautious in his comments, the US president is stepping up the pressure on the Israeli prime minister.
In a telephone exchange on Wednesday, Joe Biden said he wanted to see a de-escalation in the conflict today.
Publicity
Read more
"
The president informed the Prime Minister that he expected today a significant de-escalation on the road to a cease-fire
", one can read in the
press
release from the White House.
This is the first time since the start of the bombing in Gaza that the Americans have publicly reported pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu.
The preferred route so far has been that of diplomatic action behind the scenes.
The US administration considered it counterproductive to expose its calls for temperance and was content to repeat that it supported Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas attacks, recalls our correspondent in Washington,
Anne Corpet
.
But faced with increasing international pressure, and the anger of the left of the Democratic Party who denounces the White House's complicity with Israel's war actions, Joe Biden lets it be known that he has raised his voice. .
The White House assures us that the conversations of the American president with the Israeli prime minister have always been very frank and very direct.
In a telephone interview with his Israeli counterpart Benny Gantz, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin also adopted a firmer tone.
Austin "
reviewed the analyzes of Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip and urged a de-escalation of the conflict,
" a brief Pentagon statement read.
No support for a French draft resolution at the UN
Claiming a “discreet” diplomatic approach, Washington refused on Wednesday to support “
actions that undermine efforts in favor of de-escalation
”, in reaction to the French project for a resolution at the UN Security Council.
After eight days of blocking the Security Council of the United States to the adoption of a declaration condemning the violence in the Middle East, France, with the assistance of Egypt, Jordan and Tunisia, had drawn on Tuesday a draft resolution calling for a "
cessation of hostilities
" and "
humanitarian access
", in particular to Gaza.
The United States' response was swift, with an outright veto threat.
"The real negotiations take place behind the scenes"
The policy of Washington, Israel's first ally, for ten days at the UN has not changed despite its growing isolation. The United States rejected three proposed statements presented by China, Tunisia (representing the Arab world on the Council) and Norway. They also balked at the organization of Council meetings, four since May 10, even causing the postponement of one of them finally held on Sunday and in public.
On the ground, Israeli airstrikes intensified on the Gaza Strip on Wednesday after a ninth night of violence.
Israel said it was waiting "for
the right moment
" to end its strikes on the Palestinian enclave.
At least 219 people, including 63 children, have been killed in Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip, according to the local health ministry.
In Israel, rocket fire from Gaza left 12 people dead, according to Israeli police.
(
and with
AFP)
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