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To the editor:
The Biden Administration’s recent moves regarding Israel’s ever-expanding war are cause for hope. The first of these was a letter Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sent to the Israeli Defense Minister, tying future weapon shipments to specific, measurable humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza. The letter, in essence an ultimatum, set a Nov. 13 deadline for Israel to meet the goals or face an end to U.S. arms deliveries.
The second move was a summit President Biden attended in Berlin with European leaders. While the main purpose of the summit was to shore up support for Ukraine, Israel’s ongoing war and the 30 day ultimatum were also on the agenda.
Given past statements, it is highly likely that French, British and German leaders are in full agreement that if Israel stubbornly continues as it has, they should do so alone. Post-election, I expect (and hope) U.S. and European support for Israel will become far more conditional.
For the first time since Israel’s disproportionate response to the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, I am optimistic that the slaughter of innocent civilians will come to an end, either when Netanyahu succumbs to world pressure and retreats or when he and the IDF are forced back into a purely defensive posture, having lost the support of Western democracies.
The choice is Netanyahu’s. He can either heed the advice of his friends or continue to thumb his nose at them.
Joseph Cannisi
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