Is the US a Suitable Mediator in Gaza?

As the conflict in Gaza rages on, the idea that the United States could serve as a neutral mediator between Israel and Hamas has become increasingly implausible. A neutral observer would find this notion not just unrealistic, but downright absurd. No significant US official today has the political leeway to take meaningful action against the Israeli government, which continues to pursue its military objectives in Gaza with US support.

Since the escalation of violence, the Biden administration has attempted to position itself as a potential mediator, but this stance is fraught with contradictions. On one hand, President Biden has made mild criticisms of the Israeli government’s actions, likely in response to pressure from the progressive wing of his party. On the other hand, the administration continues to provide substantial military aid to Israel, a clear indication that any serious pressure on the Israeli leadership is off the table.

The upcoming 2024 US presidential election only complicates this further. Any move to cut military aid to Israel would likely spell electoral disaster for the Democrats, given the broad support for Israel among the American electorate. With Donald Trump, a staunch supporter of Netanyahu, looming as a potential electoral opponent, the Biden administration is unlikely to shift its stance in any meaningful way.

Given these realities, the idea that Washington could serve as an impartial mediator in Gaza is laughable. US officials are constrained by domestic political considerations and are unable to take the tough measures needed to bring the Israeli government to the negotiating table. Furthermore, the US supplies the very weapons that Israel uses in its military operations against Gaza, further undermining its credibility as a mediator.