Audio clip emerges of Biden saying he told Netanyahu a ‘Come-to-Jesus meeting’ on Gaza aid was near

President Biden said Thursday that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel were heading for a “come-to-Jesus meeting” on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, according to an audio clip of the president’s remarks posted on social media on Friday.

Mr. Biden’s comment underlines growing tensions between him and Mr. Netanyahu in recent weeks, as civilian casualties in Gaza have risen inexorably and Mr. Biden has come under political pressure at home and abroad for more to force Israel to agree to a ceasefire.

In recent days, Mr. Biden had expressed hope that a ceasefire of at least six weeks would be reached by Ramadan, the Muslim holy month that starts in a few days. But Israel and Hamas have reached an impasse in negotiations over the return of vulnerable hostages taken in Israel during the October 7 attack in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

When reporters asked on Friday whether a deal could still be reached during Ramadan, Mr Biden said: “It looks difficult.”

The president’s earlier “come-to-Jesus” comments were captured on a hot mic during what Mr. Biden thought was a private conversation with Senator Michael Bennet, Democrat of Colorado, after the State of the Union address.

According to a recording of the conversation, Mr. Bennet encouraged the president to “keep pushing” on the issue of humanitarian aid to Gaza as Israel wages its war against Hamas, a war for which the United States has provided funding and weapons.

“I told him, ‘Bibi’ — and don’t repeat this — but ‘you and I are going to have a come-to-Jesus meeting,’” Mr. Biden said, referring to the prime minister by his nickname.

Mr Biden was told by an aide that his microphone was still on and that the call was being recorded. “I’m on a hot mic here?” Mr. Biden said. “Good. That’s good.”

Mr. Biden had just used his prime-time address to Congress to strongly call on Israel to limit civilian casualties and allow increased amounts of food, medicine and other aid into the besieged enclave. Gaza health authorities say 30,000 people have been killed in the Israeli offensive on Gaza, most of them civilians. Millions of residents have been displaced and hundreds of thousands more face famine.

“However, Israel also has a fundamental responsibility to protect innocent civilians in Gaza,” Biden said in his speech. “This war has taken a greater toll on innocent civilians than all previous wars in Gaza combined.”

Mr. Biden strongly supported Israel’s right to invade Gaza after Hamas fighters crossed the border on Oct. 7 and, according to Israeli authorities, killed more than 1,200 Israelis in border towns, committing atrocities and taking hostages.

The United States has continued to supply weapons to Israel and block UN resolutions demanding a ceasefire, supporting Mr Netanyahu’s position that a permanent ceasefire would be a victory for Hamas, which the United States considers a terrorist group.

But the civilian toll of Israel’s bombing campaign, coupled with rising hunger and disease in Gaza, has provoked international outrage, and calls have increased for the United States to use its influence with Israel to broker a ceasefire to create fires. At home, Biden has faced a backlash over the issue of left-wing Democrats and Arab Americans who were important to his winning coalition in 2020, particularly in the battleground state of Michigan.

Biden’s speech on Thursday seemed aimed in part at mending those fences. He also announced that the US military would build a floating pier for Gaza.

“To Israel’s leadership I say this: Humanitarian aid cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip,” Mr. Biden said in his speech. “Protecting and saving innocent lives must be a priority.”

Mr. Biden slyly acknowledged his comment to Senator Bennet when asked about it before boarding Air Force One on Friday. “I didn’t say that,” he said, then told reporters, “You guys bugged me.”