President Biden told a Democratic lawmaker and members of his Cabinet after the State of the Union address that he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu they need a “come-to-Jesus meeting.”
Biden’s comments, captured on a hot microphone as he spoke to Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) on the floor of the House chamber, came after Bennet congratulated the commander in chief on his speech and urged him urged to put pressure on Netanyahu. increasing humanitarian problems in Gaza.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stood with Biden and Bennet during the brief conversation.
Biden shared with the group that he told Netanyahu, “you and I are going to have a come-to-Jesus meeting,” adding that he did not want them to repeat what he said.
A Biden aide then appeared to inform the president that his microphone was still on.
“I’m on a hot mic here,” Biden responded. “Good. That’s good.”
Biden spent more than five minutes during his speech talking about the war between Israel and Hamas, with most of the time spent on a single topic except when he talked about democracy, according to a breakdown of the speech on CNN.
“This war has taken a greater toll on innocent civilians than all previous wars in Gaza combined,” Biden said, adding that he has called on Israel to “do its part” and allow more aid within the enclave and more border openings.
The president, who has publicly expressed frustration with Netanyahu and his government’s unwillingness to allow more desperately needed aid to enter Gaza, announced in his speech that the US military would help set up a temporary pier near the area to help deliver more aid. supplies.
“Tonight, I am directing the US military to lead an emergency mission to build a temporary pier in the Mediterranean Sea on the coast of Gaza, where large shipments of food, water, medicine and temporary shelter can be received,” he said.
The Pentagon began dropping aid to Gaza last week.
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