Joe Biden facing the Palestinian dilemma

A decree that issues sanctions against some violent Jewish settlers in the West Bank, increased pressure for Israel to implement a two-state solution in exchange for its full recognition by its Arab neighbors: is Joe Biden, nine months before the elections, really changing the pro-Israeli line he has followed since October 7?

For the White House, the crisis has major international consequences: increasingly risky military implications with strikes against the movements of the Iranian “resistance” axis, growing hatred and isolation from the United States. And internal consequences, in society and in politics, which are less known. But very embarrassing for a president who hopes to be re-elected.

Small gestures like sanctions against settlers will not bring peace, but they show Benjamin Netanyahu that the pressure from the American ally, the only unconditional friend, is growing. Are they not a way of mollifying part of the left-wing American youth and American voters of Arab origin, scandalized by the horror in Gaza and tempted to withdraw their support for Biden? Even among the Jewish Democratic electorate, many criticize the current administration’s inability to influence Israel to restart a peace process.

According to many Middle East experts, Washington’s strategy remains the same: let the Israelis continue the battle with great military means until the moment when, victorious, they would consent, good princes, to conclude a peace dictated to them by their American friend. A disastrous strategy which does not prepare in advance for the two-state solution. And encourages the diehards on both sides.

Into this complicated equation is added the variable Donald Trump, Republican candidate awaiting a primary coronation and supported by evangelicals who are more Zionist than many American Jews. Without vision, he seems to have no use for appeasement solutions, as he showed during his four years in power.