Netanyahu is out and Biden is in. Why Israel is embracing a new 'father figure'

WASHINGTON — About 15 minutes into President Joe Biden's Zoom call last Friday with families of Americans taken hostage by Hamas, a White House aide started to end the session.

But Biden wouldn't have it, according to one of the family members on the call.

"The president actually looked at him and said: 'Last time I checked I'm the president of the United States. And this meeting will end when I say it ends,'" said Ruby Chen of Israel, the father of Itay Chen, a 19-year-old member of the Israel Defense Forces and a dual US-Israeli citizen who is among those missing. "He actually wanted to hear from every single one of us."

The moment encapsulated Biden's sudden transformation from a political figure whose commitment to Israel was often questioned by conservative critics inside and outside the Jewish state to – right now – arguably the world's leading champion of Israel outside the Middle East.

Biden's actions and words since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, capped by a dramatic visit Wednesday to Israel, have been lauded even by many of Biden's biggest skeptics in Israel as he stands in solidarity with Israel and pledges "unprecedented" military assistance.

"Israelis were hungry for a father figure that will hug them and show empathy. And the president has done that in such a way that really touched every Israeli," said Nimrod Novik, a former foreign policy adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres and now a fellow with the Israel Policy Forum.

Israelis last week displayed a billboard off a highway in Tel Aviv stating, "Thank you, Mr. President," next to Biden's image. A billboard welcomed Biden to Israel during his visit Wednesday.

The praise showering Biden in Israel comes as its own leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has seen his support in his country plummet in the wake of the Hamas attack and Israel's military response.

A poll from the firm, Maariv, Lazar Research, reported by Haaretz, found more than two-thirds of Israeli's prefer "someone else" than Netanyahu to serve as prime minister after the war. Benny Gantz, leader of Israel's National Unity Party, has seen his party's support soar since the Israel-Hamas war erupted.

"Absolutely, President Biden is the much more popular leader in Israel than Bibi Netanyahu," said Richard Stengel, a former under secretary of state in the Obama administration, in an interview on MSNBC.

Biden's message resonating in 'unique way' in Israel

Israeli support for Biden extends to his efforts to return home Americans who, like Itay Chen, make up some of an estimated 200 to 250 people believed to be held hostage by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Although polling on Biden's popularity in Israel since the attack isn't public, a whopping 48% of Israelis watched Biden's White House address last week when he condemned the attack as "pure, unadulterated evil" and committed U.S. military aid to Israel.

"It was quite remarkable how well that was received in Israel, including by people on the right wing who were not predisposed to like Biden," said Natan Sachs, director of the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank. "It really resonated in Israel in a rather unique way, especially given the leadership vacuum in Israel right now."

During his whirlwind stop in Israel on Wednesday, Biden met with Netanyahu, family members of hostages and compared the atrocities of the Hamas attack, which killed more than 1,300 Israelis, to the brutality of the Holocaust.

"The world watched then and knew, and the world did nothing," Biden said in a speech from Tel Aviv with American and Israeli flags behind him. "We will not stand by and do nothing again. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever."

Biden cautioned Israelis "don’t be consumed" by the rage they feel today, warning about "mistakes" the U.S. after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Yet his backing of Israel was unmistakable.

"I'm here to tell you that terrorists will not win. Freedom will win," Biden concluded. "Israel will be a safe, secure Jewish and democratic state today, tomorrow and forever."

Even Israeli conservatives applaud Biden

Biden, upon landing in Air Force One in Israel, greeted Netanyahu with a big hug.

The Israeli prime minister has faced criticism in Israel for the security failure that allowed the Hamas massacre to unfold. Netanyahu met Sunday for the first time with family members of kidnapped Israelis amid criticism that he's not done enough to save them.

“Your visit is the first here by an American president during a time of war," Netanyahu said to Biden. “Thank you, Mr. president. Thank you for standing with Israel today, tomorrow and always.”

Former President Donald Trump – who took actions such as relocating the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem – was widely popular in Israel during his presidency as well. Trump and other Republicans aligned themselves with the Israeli right, pushing a wedge between Jews and their historic support for Democrats, while some liberals in Congress sought to reduce foreign aid to Israel.

Yet over the last week, Biden has received glowing reviews from conservatives who once criticized Biden's foreign policy with Israel.

"In Judaism there is an obligation of 'Hakarat Hatov'”' — saying thank you to those who perform good deeds," David Friedman, former U.S. ambassador to Israel under Trump, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. While Friedman remains "deeply critical" of the Biden administration, he said "the moral, tactical, diplomatic and military support that it has provided Israel over the past few days has been exceptional."

Meanwhile, Trump stunned conservative Israelis with his comments last week blaming Netanyahu for the Hamas attack and calling leaders of Hezbollah "very smart." Many have since blasted Trump's remarks.

"Every Israeli should pray that Biden will continue for a second term," Ishay Cohen, a religiously conservative Israeli journalist, wrote on X above a video with Trump's comments.

Biden's actions have not been without harsh criticism among conservatives in the U.S. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican candidate for president, slammed Biden for committing $100 million in U.S. humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

"They say it's 'humanitarian assistance.' We know Hamas is going to commandeer that money and Hamas is going to use it to advance terrorism," DeSantis said. "How are you funding them when they're holding Americans as well as others hostage?"

And Republicans and Israelis alike criticized the Biden administration over a deal to free five American hostages from Iran that included transferring $6 billion to the nation for humanitarian purposes.

The U.S. and Qatar reportedly agreed to freeze Iran's access to the money last week after the agreement came under fire from Republicans who argued the money freed up funds for Tehran to help Hamas' attack. The Biden administration has said there is no evidence linking Iran to the massacre.

Still, Israel's support for Biden, at least for now, overshadows the pushback.

Ruby Chen, the father working to free his hostage son from Hamas, said Biden told family members on last week's Zoom call "nothing is more important" to him than seeing the safe return of American hostages.

As each family member spoke, a photo of their loved one flashed on the computer screen for the president to see. The meeting ended up lasting about an hour and 15 minutes.

"It was a very emotional session where he also shared some of his personal loss and how he copes with it," Ruby Chen said. "And I think simple people like us, having the president of the United States spend time with us, it was a touching gesture."

Contributing: Maureen Groppe, Kim Hjelmgaard.

Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly known as Twitter @Joeygarrison.

Hamas invaded my brother's home: Now, my family is held hostage in Gaza.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden Israel speech is a hit as Netanyahu is criticized amid Hamas war