US House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday blasted President Joe Biden and accused him of shifting into an “anti-Israel” direction in a bid to pander to the far-left.
“Democrats are weak on Israel as well, and it’s their support for Israel. It’s rather stunning to us that there’s this dramatic shift. Hamas is holding more than 130 hostages,” Johnson said during a press conference, as quoted by The New York Post.
“Shamefully since Oct. 7, Joe Biden has transformed into an anti-Israel president. There’s really no other way to characterize it,” he added.
“He’s more concerned, seemingly, with placating the antisemitism in his base than standing with our historic and vitally important ally,” Johnson continued.
Johnson’s comments mark the second time in recent days that he has criticized Democrats over their stance on Israel.
On Sunday, Johnson blasted what he described as an “appalling” lack of support from some Democrats for the country as it continues its war in Gaza.
“Since the massacre, it’s been appalling to watch anti-Israel rhetoric and support for an unconditional cease-fire grow among Democrats in Washington, even as Hamas holds 130 Israelis and Americans hostage in Gaza,” Johnson said in a statement.
While Biden was initially supportive of Israel’s war against Hamas, he has become increasingly critical of the Israeli government’s conduct.
Last Thursday, Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call, during which, according to the White House, the President “made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers. He made clear that US policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps.”
US officials later told NBC News that Biden warned Netanyahu during the call that the US could condition military aid to Israel on what it does to address humanitarian concerns in Gaza and get to a ceasefire as soon as possible.
In an interview with Univision which was recorded before Biden’s conversation with Netanyahu and which aired on Tuesday, Biden upped his criticism of Netanyahu and said, "I think what he’s doing is a mistake. I don’t agree with his approach.”
Biden told Univision that he is calling for Israelis "to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks total access to all food and medicine going into the country."
On Wednesday, however, Biden affirmed that his support for Israel will remain “ironclad” as officials fear Iran is gearing up for military action.
“As I told Prime Minister Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel’s security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad — let me say it again, ‘ironclad,'” Biden told reporters at the White House.
“We’re going to do all we can to protect Israel’s security,” he added.