A former Biden aide has admitted the administration plotted to unseat Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the devastating Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
Ilan Goldenberg, who served as Jewish outreach director for Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign, revealed these efforts in an interview with Israel’s Channel 13. His comments expose a calculated push to exploit Israel’s post-attack turmoil for political gain.
Breitbart reported that the Biden administration sought to capitalize on President Joe Biden’s fleeting popularity in Israel to destabilize Netanyahu’s leadership. Following the Hamas attack, which killed over 1,200 Israelis, Netanyahu faced a sharp decline in public support.
Polls showed opposition leader Benny Gantz leading with 37 seats to Netanyahu’s 15, signaling a vulnerable moment for the prime minister. Goldenberg, who led efforts to sanction right-wing Israelis, described internal White House discussions about forcing political change.
The administration considered various tactics, including non-democratic means, to trigger elections or weaken Netanyahu’s grip on power. These revelations have raised concerns about foreign interference in Israel’s sovereignty.
Biden’s team saw an opportunity in Israel’s grief and anger after Hamas broke an early hostage release deal. The administration believed Biden’s initial popularity could pressure Netanyahu into aligning with U.S. demands or face ouster. Goldenberg noted that some in the Oval Office even discussed Biden delivering a speech to sway Israeli public opinion.
“Joe Biden was still incredibly popular in Israel,” Goldenberg said, recalling the administration’s optimism about influencing Israeli politics.
The plan was to either force Netanyahu to accept a deal to end the war and free hostages or “scramble Israeli politics” to spark elections. Such tactics, Goldenberg admitted, aimed to “break” the stalled situation.
The administration’s strategy hinged on presenting Israelis with a stark choice. Goldenberg outlined a vision where a deal could secure hostage releases and possibly remove Hamas elements, or Israel would face a “forever war” with ongoing casualties. This approach sought to paint Netanyahu’s leadership as unsustainable.
By March 2024, the Biden administration’s frustration with Netanyahu grew more public. President Biden endorsed a call by then-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for Israelis to hold new elections to replace Netanyahu. Schumer’s speech reflected the administration’s belief that Netanyahu’s policies hindered peace efforts.
However, the administration struggled to secure commitments from Hamas for a viable deal. Hamas consistently rejected proposals and refused to guarantee the release of all Israeli hostages. This undermined Biden’s leverage, as the proposed agreements lacked credibility without Hamas’s cooperation.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s political fortunes began to shift. Defying Biden’s pressure, he launched a military offensive in Rafah, a Gaza border town. The operation proved pivotal, boosting Netanyahu’s standing among Israelis.
The Rafah offensive yielded significant results, including the rescue of hostages and the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
These successes restored Netanyahu’s popularity, effectively thwarting the Biden administration’s efforts to unseat him. Polls reflected a resurgence in support for the prime minister, who had been written off months earlier.
Goldenberg’s admissions highlight a troubling willingness to meddle in an ally’s politics during a time of crisis. The Biden administration’s consideration of “non-democratic means” to remove Netanyahu raises ethical questions about its respect for Israel’s democratic process. Such tactics, even if unsuccessful, risk eroding trust between the U.S. and Israel.
Former Biden officials, initially hesitant to speak due to fears of retribution under the Trump administration, are now coming forward.
Their accounts reveal a White House eager to exploit Israel’s post-October 7 vulnerabilities. This approach contrasts sharply with the U.S.’s public stance as a steadfast ally.
The failure of Biden’s strategy underscores the limits of external influence on Israel’s internal politics. Netanyahu’s recovery, driven by decisive military action, demonstrates the resilience of his leadership despite foreign pressure. Israelis rallied behind him, prioritizing security over diplomatic concessions.