Biden’s criticisms of Israel don’t match his actions. Putin appears ”buoyant” in his first annual press conference since invading Ukraine. And lead poisoning in dozens of children exposes a gap in federal regulations. Here’s what to know today.
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The mismatch between Biden’s words and actions on Israel
President Joe Biden’s tough criticism this week of Israel’s government follows calls to rein in the country’s assault on Gaza. Global support for Israel is souring because of its “indiscriminate bombing,” he claimed at a fundraising event. In saying that, Biden seemed to signal that his patience was also running out.
But Biden’s actions have so far not matched his harsher tone. He hasn’t imposed conditions on the military aid that the U.S. sends to Israel, and he hasn’t demanded a cease-fire or an end date to the war. Just this week, he bypassed Congress and expedited the sale of tank ammunition to Israel.
With pressure growing by the day and dissent spreading through the White House, Biden’s hands-off approach could soon become untenable.
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More on the Israel-Hamas war
- Another significant divide is emerging between the U.S. and Israel, with a senior Israeli diplomat saying the country “absolutely” would not accept a two-state solution following the war. This runs counter to longstanding U.S. policy objectives in the region, as well as recent Biden comments. Follow our live blog for the latest.
- In a tent city near Gaza’s border with Egypt, desperation is running high. A 15-year-old girl wondered whether it would be better to die “instead of living this black life.”
- Videos circulating of soldiers breaking children’s toys and setting fire to items at a candy factory in the Gaza Strip — actions the IDF called…
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