Unaware the Mic Was On... Biden Snipes Netanyahu Over Gaza Strip Airstrikes

A remark by U.S. President Joe Biden targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was caught on a microphone that was thought to be off. Analysts say this shows the growing rift between Israel and the U.S. as they continue the war against the Gaza Strip.

On the 8th (local time), AFP and the British Guardian reported that after finishing his State of the Union address at the U.S. Congress the previous day, President Biden was caught mentioning Prime Minister Netanyahu while conversing with Senator Michael Bennet and others.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

When Senator Bennet said that pressure on Israel should continue regarding humanitarian concerns in the Gaza Strip, President Biden replied, "Don't take this anywhere else," and said, "I told Bibi (Netanyahu’s nickname) that you and I need a come to Jesus meeting."

The phrase "come to Jesus" mentioned by President Biden implies a 'conversion' meaning, similar to the process of becoming a Christian, where one confesses past mistakes and changes their heart anew.

After Biden said this, an aide nearby whispered into his ear, seemingly to inform him that the microphone was still on. Then President Biden said, "That was a hot mic," and added, "That's good. Good."

Foreign media interpreted this remark as President Biden urging a change in attitude from Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is sticking to a hardline "my way" approach regarding the Gaza war, revealing once again his frustration at the difficulty in finding common ground with Netanyahu over the Gaza conflict.

As the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip worsens, President Biden is facing domestic and international pressure to rein in Israel and curb innocent civilian casualties.

In his State of the Union address on the 7th, President Biden emphasized, "Israel has the right to attack Hamas (which launched a preemptive strike)," but also stressed, "Israel has the responsibility to protect innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip."

Meanwhile, there is also an opinion that President Biden’s remark may not have been a mistake but a deliberate calculation.

AFP pointed out that it was unclear whether President Biden used the opportunity beyond his prepared speech to send a message to Prime Minister Netanyahu.