Biden's Ultimatum to Israel Tests U.S. Commitment
Jerusalem Trip Forces President to Balance Ties Amidst Tensions
By SEUNG MIN KIM, ELLEN KNICKMEYER and ZEKE MILLER
Updated 14:43 PM PDT May 15, 2024
JERUSALEM, Israel - President Biden's decision this week to make public his ultimatum to Israel over a potential offensive in the city of Jenin has thrust US-Israel relations to a critical juncture, testing the limits of Biden's staunch support for the Jewish state.
The President's move came as Israeli caretaker prime minister Yair Lapid urged Biden to go beyond his public commitment to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Biden is currently on a Middle East tour that includes stops in Israel, the West Bank, and Saudi Arabia.
As Biden seeks to calm Israeli fears about a potential nuclear deal with Iran, he faces the challenge of balancing the US commitment to Israel's security with the need to address the concerns of other regional players.
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