Oh, boy! Jen Psaki, the former mouthpiece of the White House turned MSNBC talking head, has graced us with her infinite wisdom once again. This time, she’s taking aim at none other than President Biden himself, suggesting that he should have flexed his political muscles sooner when it comes to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Psaki, always one to grab the spotlight, made her grand proclamations on CBS’s “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert, because what better place to discuss complex geopolitical issues than a late-night comedy show? With a smug grin and an air of self-importance, Psaki highlighted the significance of the U.S. decision to potentially pause weapon transfers to Israel, noting the long-standing military ties between the two nations. “We are observing some leverage being applied,” she declared, as if she had just discovered the secret to world peace.
But wait, there’s more! Psaki’s comments come hot on the heels of Biden’s own statement in a CNN interview, where he boldly threatened to stop weapons shipments if Israel dared to launch a full-scale invasion of Rafah, a city in southern Gaza that has become a refuge for over a million Palestinians fleeing the conflict. It’s like a game of international chess, with Biden moving his pieces and hoping that Netanyahu doesn’t call his bluff.
Of course, this sudden display of backbone from Biden has ruffled some feathers within his own party. The progressive wing, always ready to jump on their moral high horse, has been critical of the U.S.’s ongoing weapons transfers to Israel and has demanded a permanent ceasefire in the conflict. It’s almost as if they believe that peace can be achieved by simply wishing it into existence.
But fear not, dear readers, for Biden has a plan! In his infinite wisdom, he clarified during the interview, “I’ve made it clear that if Israel proceeds with an invasion of Rafah—a step they have not yet taken—I will withhold the supply of the weapons typically used in such operations.” It’s like a parent threatening to take away a child’s favorite toy if they don’t behave, except instead of a toy, it’s billions of dollars worth of military equipment.
The U.S. administration, in a move that can only be described as a half-measure, has also paused some bomb deliveries to Israel, expressing concerns about the potential for a large-scale operation in Rafah. They’ve even gone so far as to emphasize the need for a civilian evacuation plan before any military action, because apparently, the concept of collateral damage is just now dawning on them.
Naturally, Republican leaders are up in arms over Biden’s conditional support for Israel, arguing that the U.S. should stand by its ally no matter what. It’s almost as if they believe that blind allegiance is the key to a successful foreign policy.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ever the defiant one, has stated that Israel is prepared to act independently if necessary. It’s like watching a high-stakes game of chicken, with neither side willing to blink first.
As Psaki sits atop her perch at MSNBC, she can’t help but reflect on the broader implications of these decisions, noting the rarity of such a move by the U.S. and the complex relationship between Biden and Netanyahu. It’s a relationship that, according to Psaki, is not frequently discussed in public forums, probably because it’s about as dysfunctional as a reality TV show.
So, there you have it, folks. The U.S., Israel, and Hamas are locked in a deadly dance, with Jen Psaki providing the color commentary from the sidelines. Will Biden’s threats be enough to bring about a ceasefire, or will Netanyahu call his bluff? Will the progressive wing of the Democratic Party ever be satisfied, or will they continue to shout from the rooftops until their voices go hoarse? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: Psaki will be there, ready to offer her unsolicited opinions to anyone who will listen.
