Throughout his nearly four years in office, President Biden regularly consulted historians to measure their achievements in relation to history, and he did it again Before he leaves the presidential race, history will recognize among his many achievements his broad economic vision and his legislative experience, which moved quickly The country is emerging from a pandemic recession, reduced wage inequality and created the longest period full employment in more than 50 years.
Biden also brought with him the biggest important pro-worker policies in decadesReinvigorated agencies that have moved aggressively to clean our air and water of deadly pollutants like Toxic chemicals “forever”. And with the narrowest of margins in Congress, he secured the votes to enact the first important law to combat climate change in the history of the United States, which has created 330,000 So far, good, secure jobs in clean energy.
Though Biden seems deeply in tune with his legacy, his foreign policy—like that of Lyndon B. Johnson before him—could forever haunt his record in the history books and stain his standing among generations of Americans. Like America's wars in Indochina, the bloody, nearly year-long assault on Gaza has unleashed a level of carnage that has horrified The worldIt has fueled resistance and division in the United States and, like the wars of 50 years ago, is… Contributed a one-term Democratic president who has so far been ineffective in stopping the spiral of violence and brutality abroad.
With at least 40,000 inhabitants of Gaza killed by the Israeli offensive so far, seemingly constant reports of cool bombings of civilians with US arms The administration's claims of concern for human rights have been scoffed at. Preventable diseases like polio as well as famine Now they threaten the blockaded enclave. Two million people remain trapped and denied adequate nutrition and medical care.
Israel's provocative moves abroad—such as the assassination in Tehran of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, with whom it was negotiating an end to hostilities and the return of Israeli hostages—appear designed to sabotage ceasefire talks and draw The United States is entering a broader regional conflict. A war of this magnitude could last for years and cause untold numbers of civilian casualties.
No wonder Republicans seem… delight in the anarchy and aggression of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as they do criticize Biden For allegedly not standing behind Israel more firmly. They cynically believe that the continued devastation of Gaza will deter some Democratic voters from supporting Vice President Kamala Harris in an election that could once again be defined by a margin of just a few tens of thousands of votes. Republicans could also hope to benefit politically from a regional war before the presidential election, if it contributed to a rising oil prices and the involvement of the United States in an unpopular conflict.
And Republicans acknowledge that largely unconditional military support emboldens Netanyahu to exacerbate the suffering in Gaza, continue to attack neighboring countries and still again decline the US framework for a permanent ceasefire.
But it is not too late for Biden, in the final months of his term, to act boldly. Freed from some political considerations because he is not running for reelection, he could use the political capital needed to finally pressure Netanyahu to agree to a permanent ceasefire deal. If Biden acts quickly and decisively, he could preserve his legacy as a statesman by ending months of cruelty in Gaza, calming regional tensions and protecting the possibility of a two-state solution.
Biden, by the way, would also position Harris to win the November election. Most American voters support making military aid conditional on Israel agreeing to a ceasefire deal, and voters in key swing states say they would be more willing to support Harris if a permanent ceasefire were achieved. In an election that could easily be decided by a razor-thin margin, winning back Democratic voters dissatisfied with Gaza policy could prove decisive for Harris’s victory. By resolving this important and ongoing political liability, Biden would also give Harris room to credibly defend and expand her domestic achievements in 2025.
Biden himself suggested Netanyahu is avoiding a permanent ceasefire for his own political survival. That means only US influence can force a fair outcome for Gaza and the world. families of Israeli hostages. As Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant admitted in October: “We are not in a position where we can refuse” American demands. “We depend on them for planes and military equipment. What are we supposed to do? Tell them no?”
All Biden has to do is enforce, or simply threaten to enforce, existing U.S. law. As 88 House Democrats observed in maySection 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act prohibits security assistance or arms sales to any country that restricts U.S. humanitarian assistance. Section 502B of the same act prohibits security assistance to any government that engages in a consistent pattern of gross human rights violations. And the gun restrictions on Biden's own campaign national security memos and conventional arms transfer policy Provide additional tools of pressure needed to secure a permanent ceasefire. Biden already has the authority to condition or cut off offensive military aid to Israel if Netanyahu refuses to agree to a permanent ceasefire.
Biden can draw on his own experience in facing Netanyahu in 2021. After many phone calls about Israel's previous attack on Gaza, Biden simply said, “Hey, man, the runway is over here. It's over.” Author: Franklin Foer noted“And that is what happened. When the call ended, Netanyahu reluctantly agreed to a ceasefire that the Egyptians would negotiate.”
Biden must draw inspiration from history to avoid past pitfalls: anti-war protests occurred Throughout this year's Democratic National Convention in Chicago, he echoed opposition to the Vietnam War in 1968. A Republican presidential candidate who, like Richard Nixon, disdains the Rule of law Biden hopes to take power. If he acts now, he can end a humanitarian disaster, prevent the return of the authoritarian far right in the United States, and ensure his just legacy in history.
Mark Ruffalo is an actor and social justice advocate.
