Key Biden aide recalls “draconian measures” being considered against Israel

In April 2024, President Joe Biden considered taking severe actions against Israel after an Israeli drone strike killed seven aid workers in Gaza. However, U.S. intelligence revealed an imminent Iranian attack on Israel, prompting Biden to focus on defense instead. Brett McGurk, a former Middle East adviser, shared that Biden was frustrated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach to the Gaza conflict and even contemplated halting U.S. weapons supplies to Israel. The U.S., along with Arab and European allies, helped protect Israel from the Iranian assault, which involved a large-scale missile and drone attack. McGurk’s memoir, “Brink,” details Biden’s stern warning to Netanyahu about the potential end of U.S. military support. The Biden administration faced criticism for its handling of the Israel-Hamas war, with calls to stop military aid amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. A State Department review found that Israeli forces may have used U.S. weapons in ways that violated international humanitarian laws. QUESTION: How might the U.S. decision to continue or halt military aid to Israel impact international relations and peace efforts in the Middle East?