The Shifting Sands of International Sympathy: A Tale of Two Leaders and Presidential Encounters
The recent friction between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy ignited a political storm, particularly among Democratic lawmakers. This incident has, however, prompted a re-examination of past interactions between U.S. Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Critics argue that the treatment Netanyahu received from these administrations stands in stark contrast to the outpouring of support Zelenskyy garnered, raising questions about consistency in international relations and media coverage.
Historical accounts and media reports suggest that both Presidents Obama and Biden subjected Netanyahu to public criticism and perceived slights. Unlike Zelenskyy, Netanyahu did not receive the same level of solidarity from many European leaders and influential media outlets, fueling accusations of a double standard.
Dan Diker, President of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, highlighted this disparity in a statement to Fox News Digital. He questioned why the international media, European powers, and social media platforms seemed largely unsympathetic to Israel and Netanyahu during the Obama and Biden administrations. He pointed to instances of "dressing down" and "humiliation" during and between Netanyahu’s visits to the White House, contrasting this with the immediate and widespread international sympathy for Zelenskyy after his public disagreement with President Trump and Vice President Vance.
Diker further emphasized instances that underscored the perceived tension between the Obama administration and Netanyahu. He recalled the 2010 incident where Obama reportedly abandoned a Netanyahu-led delegation at the White House. He also mentioned what he characterized as the Biden administration’s "maximum political pressure campaigns" aimed at forcing Israel to concede to American demands.
Despite the geographical and political differences, there exist parallels between Ukraine and Israel. Both nations are engaged in conflicts against what are perceived as anti-democratic forces. Israel has been battling Iranian-backed proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, since October 2023. Meanwhile, Russia invaded Ukraine over three years ago, seizing a significant portion of its territory. Both Ukraine and Israel are fighting for their national survival.
However, a significant divergence lies in the public reaction to the White House interactions. The outrage sparked by the Trump-Zelenskyy spat was not mirrored when Biden and Obama reportedly launched verbal attacks, even using profanity, against Netanyahu.
Following his 2024 State of the Union address, President Biden was overheard on a hot mic saying that he and Netanyahu would have a "come to Jesus" moment soon. Biden also warned Israel that an invasion of Rafah would cross a "red line." Israel defied Biden’s warning and proceeded with operations in Rafah, resulting in the liberation of some hostages held by Hamas.
In the aftermath of Israel’s entry into Rafah, Biden reportedly called Netanyahu a "f—ing liar." He also referred to the Israeli Prime Minister as "a pain in my a–" and claimed that "he’s been killing me lately." Columnist Jonathan Martin of Politico went even further, stating that Biden privately described Netanyahu as a "bad f—ing guy."
These verbal attacks, seemingly relentless in nature, continued as Israel defended itself against Hezbollah in Lebanon and its chief strategic partner, Iran. Despite the U.S. government designating Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and Iran as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, Biden’s criticism of Netanyahu persisted.
Journalist Bob Woodward’s book, "War," revealed that Biden frequently accused Netanyahu of lacking a strategy and allegedly shouted "Bibi, what the f—-?" at him after Israeli strikes near Beirut and in Iran.
Experts on U.S.-Israel relations argue that the Obama administration laid the groundwork for delegitimizing Netanyahu and creating "daylight" between the two countries. Obama reportedly refused to pose for photographs with Netanyahu during the Israeli leader’s White House visit in 2010. He also held a private dinner without the Prime Minister, a move considered a breach of protocol.
When questioned about his allegedly conflict-ridden relationship with Netanyahu, Obama stated in 2010, "I think that he is dealing with a very complex situation in a very tough neighborhood. And what I have consistently shared with him is my interest in working with him — not at cross-purposes — so that we can achieve the kind of peace that will ensure Israel’s security for decades to come. And that’s going to mean some tough choices. And there are going to be times where he and I are having robust discussions about what kind of choices need to be made."
Critics argue that the Obama administration frequently used anonymous government officials to convey negative views about Netanyahu. In 2014, The Atlantic magazine’s Jeffery Goldberg quoted an unnamed Obama administration official calling Netanyahu "chickens—" in relation to his efforts to secure a peace deal with the Palestinians.
The strained relationship between Obama and Netanyahu reached a boiling point at the end of Obama’s term in December 2016. Netanyahu described Obama’s decision to abstain from vetoing a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank as a "shameful ambush."
Netanyahu’s speeches to the U.S. Congress in 2015, where he argued against Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran, and in 2024, where he defended Israel’s war against Hamas, further strained relations with both the Obama and Biden administrations.
Eugene Kontorovich, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, told Fox News Digital that Democrats have resented Netanyahu for years because he dared to pursue policies different from Obama’s. He argued that, by this standard, Zelenskyy’s open disagreements with President Trump and Vice President Vance should also be scrutinized. However, President Trump has already indicated a willingness to reengage with Zelenskyy, suggesting a level of flexibility that some argue was not extended to Netanyahu.
The varying responses to diplomatic friction highlight the complex and often inconsistent nature of international relations and the role of media narratives in shaping public perception. The comparison between the treatment of Zelenskyy and Netanyahu underscores the importance of considering historical context and political motivations when evaluating diplomatic interactions and the resulting media coverage.
