Snap Insight: What does US President Biden hope to achieve by visiting Israel before Gaza invasion?

SCORING PERSONAL POLITICAL POINTS

At this stage, it is hard to see what Mr Biden can gain from visiting the region, apart from perhaps some domestic political capital: His presumptive challenger for the presidency in 2024, Donald Trump, has not endeared himself to the American public by describing Hamas as “smart”. In a country where full-throated support for Israel is a bedrock political stance, Mr Biden stands to pick up some points.

Perhaps the hope is that by looking Mr Netanyahu in the eye, he can force the Israeli leader to exercise some restraint and avoid piling more misery on Palestinians. Given the current climate in Israel however, with the country reeling, growing frustration with the government’s failure to prevent the attacks, and the ground conditions, that appears a long shot.

Carl Skadian, a former journalist and editor for 30 years, is Senior Associate Director at the Middle East Institute, NUS.