PUBLIC ANGER SWELLS
Unlike his predecessor Donald Trump, who unreservedly backed Israel, Biden has openly voiced frustration over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s failure to protect Gaza civilians, even as the US continues to ensure military provisions and diplomatic protection.
Biden administration officials say their behind-the-scenes pressure has borne fruit, with Israel budging on letting in fuel, restoring internet access and opening crossings into Gaza.
But with images proliferating of Gaza’s suffering, the storyline that Biden is “hugging Netanyahu close, and then pressing him hard quietly, worked for about a week”, Vinjamuri said.
A survey of six Arab publics last month showed that just 7 per cent believed the United States played a positive role in the war, said Munqith Dagher, Middle East director of Gallup International.
Washington’s reputation has severely deteriorated in the Arab world since the Iraq invasion two decades ago, but until recently, 15 per cent to 30 per cent still viewed the United States favourably, said Dagher, who founded the Al-Mustakella research group in Iraq.
He said the US “trademark” represented “many good things, especially for intellectuals and middle classes, like democracy, human rights (and) freedom of speech”, but “Gaza took out the last leaf, as they say”.
Social media has brought unfiltered scenes from Gaza to Arab publics, showing Washington’s “total bias towards the Israelis and denial of the human rights of Palestinians”, he said.
Dagher said polling showed that the main beneficiaries in Arab opinion have been China, Russia and, most strikingly, Iran, which has historic tensions with the Arab world but, unique among regional governments, has championed Hamas.
Source: CNA
