Netanyahu Pushes Back on Fox News Host Suggesting Biden Has Weakened Israel’s Position Against Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined Fox & Friends on Monday morning for a lengthy interview that at times saw him defending President Joe Biden.

The Fox hosts asked Netanyahu about recent comments from Biden seen as taking a tougher stance on Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

“So what does that mean to you? A ‘come to Jesus’ meeting?” Will Cain asked Netanyahu, referencing Biden’s hot mic comment following the State of the Union in which he said the two leaders needed to have a frank conversation.

“I don’t know. I’m not familiar with the term. Even though Jesus wasn’t born that far away from here. I can tell you that if it means, having a heart-to-heart conversation, we’ve had that plenty of times over the 40 years that I’ve known, Joe Biden. And over the 12 or 13, conversations that we’ve had since the beginning of the war. But ultimately, you know, I’m the prime minister of Israel. I’m responsible for the security and future of the Jewish state, and I’m supported in my policies,” Netanyahu replied, adding:

That’s important to understand. The overwhelming majority of Israelis support my policies, that we have to eradicate Hamas as a terrorist and governing organization, that we have to, get our hostages back, and we have to make sure that Gaza doesn’t form a threat to us anymore. 99 to 9 Knesset members. That’s over 90% supported my policy of opposing a Palestinian state being rammed down Israel’s throat. That’s the vote we had the other day. So when people say, well, we have to have this, you know, talk with Netanyahu because he’s holding back the prospect of this wondrous peace with a Palestinian state. You don’t have an issue with me. You have an issue with the entire people of Israel. They’re really united, as never been before.

And the uniting to destroy Hamas and ensure that we don’t have another Palestinian terrorist state, like the one we had in Gaza that could threaten the state of Israel. That’s something that the people of Israel are united behind. And from what I can see, most Americans support that as well.

Kayleigh McEnany then asked, “Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Biden has been around a long time. It’s easy to surmise, at least here in the American press, that he knew he was on a hot mic in that moment. It was after the State of the Union, after all. I’m wondering what that does to negotiations, that that message was communicated to you via the press instead of in the privacy of diplomatic channels. What does that do to the cease-fire negotiations? What does that do to the more than 100 hostages being held, including one-year-old Kfir Bibas? That sweet little baby in Hamas hands.”

“Well, look, to the extent that the world thinks that America and Israel are united. That helps the war effort and it helps our effort to achieve victory. And obviously, the release of the hostages, to the extent that Hamas believes that there’s daylight between us, that doesn’t help,” replied Netanyahu, adding:

I appreciate the support that President Biden and the administration have given us since the beginning of the war. I can only hope that it will continue to victory, because victory is at hand. Victory is close. I mean, we’ve destroyed, as I said, three-quarters of those fighting battalions we’re very close to victory. The best thing we can do for the future of the Middle East, for the future of peace, for the future of those hostages, is get a speedy victory. And the victory will come as soon as, I think it will come sooner the more united we are. Not the, not divided, or at least not given the, the appearance of division.

Brian Kilmeade followed up, “I know what you’re saying. But would, and to Kayleigh’s point, I did hear that you guys had virtually something agreed to with Hamas and as soon as they see the fracture with the U.S., they said, we can hold out for a better deal since they’re getting all this pressure. And that blew up the deal on the hostage for prisoner swap.”

Netanyahu pushed back, saying, “Oh. I’m not, I’m not sure that that’s, that’s exactly what happened, I think Hamas from the start has demanded, just outlandish demands that were nowhere in the ballpark.” He continued:

So, they weren’t there in the first place. But I again, I repeated, we’re not fighting just our battle. We’re fighting the battle of civilization against barbarism. We’re fighting the battle against the Iran terror axis, which goes against America. They say that you are the Great Satan, and we’re the Small Satan standing in their way. These are the people who are your worst enemies, our common worst enemies.

And at this point, the entire international community, at least a civilized community should stand behind Israel, reject the vilification and the pressures that are brought against Israel that is fighting this just war against these barbarians. That’s what I think is required to do. Most Americans understand it, and I hope that that’s what will also be perceived in the Middle East, because it will help us to get the job done sooner. But we’re going to win this war.

“Mr. Prime Minister and I hope you guys do win the war. But there’s a lot of concern, not just with the UN, but we got little jihadis running around here in the United States. You got people putting pressure on the president of the United States. I plan on going to Israel next month to be with you guys before the Holy Week. But are you concerned about the anti-Semitism here in America and across the globe? You went to school here?” asked Lawrence Jones.

“Yes, I am, of course. Of course, I’m concerned. Who would not be? I mean, and I don’t think you have to be, it’s not only the Jewish people who should be concerned. I mean, you know, anti-Semitism is the canary in the in the coal mine,” Netanyahu responded as the interview continued.

Watch the clip above via Fox News.