Ro Khanna, a prominent progressive Democratic member of the US Congress, and one of the leaders of Biden's campaign to win a second presidential term, said that President Joe Biden made a "strategic mistake" by "embracing" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while continuing the fierce war on Gaza.

Speaking to One Decision, a podcast co-hosted by Richard Dearlove, the former British intelligence chief, Rep. Khanna (D-Calif.) also described Netanyahu as “intolerably arrogant,” because he acts as if he is “an equal” “In a way” for Biden.

According to the Guardian newspaper, Liz Landers, one of the guests on the One Decision program, asked Khanna about his recent visit to the state of Michigan to meet with leaders of the large Arab-American community in the state, “What did they tell you about the Biden administration’s policy toward Israel?” “They opposed it,” Khanna replied, adding: “I have been a long-time supporter of the US-Israel relationship. I have been in Congress for eight years and my record reflects that I unequivocally condemn Hamas’ brutal attack [on Israel] on October 7, and the rapes and the killings. I have described Hamas as a terrorist organization, and it clearly is."

Khanna explained: “I did not support the ceasefire in the first six weeks. I thought [Israel] would go and capture or kill those responsible [for the October 7 attacks]. But they [the Israelis] started bombing refugee camps and hospitals, defying the United States, and not allowing aid in.” 

Khanna said Biden needs to set "clear consequences for Netanyahu" if Israel does not change course. “He has to say: ‘I’m with Israel, but I’m not with this far-right government.’ That means that if [Netanyahu] defies the United States, or blocks aid, or goes to (invade) Rafah — which Biden said what he said should not happen but Netanyahu said it would happen – “[then] no more arms transfers…unconditionally.”

“This means not protecting [Netanyahu] from the entire international community at the United Nations, but rather recognizing a Palestinian state. These are the things that I think some members of the Arab-American community want.”

In response to a question about the impending clash over Rafah, Khanna highlighted Netanyahu's behavior, refusing to heed Biden's warning that the attack would represent a "red line."

“What I disagree with and what I disagree with in the media narrative on this matter is that Netanyahu and Biden are equal in some way,” Khanna said.

“They are not. We are the greatest superpower in the world. We give Netanyahu weapons. He has to respect the American president whoever he is. I find it unbearably arrogant for him to act as if he is somehow equal to the American president. This will rub people the wrong way.” 

He added: “So if the US Secretary of Defense, and the US President, challenge us, we have to stop arms shipments now. We can stop offensive weapons shipments... I voted for defense funding and we need to continue to protect Israel from a (possible) Hezbollah invasion or from Iran. But we certainly shouldn't be giving Netanyahu the offensive weapons needed to kill more people in Gaza when he acts in defiance of the president of the United States."

"You can act on an equal footing if you are not begging for weapons at the same time," he said.

On Thursday morning, Khanna commented further, and the congressman who is considered a rising star in the Democratic Party said on social media: “I respect the people and state of Israel and the Palestinian people and I believe that all countries are equal in self-determination.”

“But Bill Clinton said 28 years ago that Netanyahu failed to respect America’s leadership and power and ignored our views despite our strong support.”

It is noteworthy that Biden's policy towards Israel also had an impact on domestic politics, as the protest votes in the Democratic Party primaries seemed to be a warning of the upcoming presidential elections. Congressman Landers asked Khanna whether Biden might lose his re-election battle against Donald Trump because of such protests as we saw in Michigan, where about 100,000 “disengaged” people voted, and Khanna responded: “I think the president is going to win. I mean he won the state.” Michigan by about 150,000 votes.”

But he said anger at Biden is spreading “perhaps outside the Muslim or Arab American community. It's more young people, voters of color, and the broader Democratic coalition.”

“And I think if this war continues, especially if it continues as we head to the Democratic convention in Chicago, it will create a problem for us with the coalition that Barack Obama built, which included young people and progressives and voters of color, which has really turned out great.”

Khanna said there was a possibility that the convention, to be held in mid-August, would generate unwelcome echoes of the chaos at the 1968 Chicago convention, the year Republican Richard Nixon won election amid protests against the Vietnam War.

“I still believe the president will win, but this should be a warning sign that there are large parts of our base that are unhappy,” Khanna said.

“I hope that the president, I think, has changed his tone and changed his course,” he said. “And now he is using the word ‘ceasefire.’ He is saying that the weapons will not be transferred indefinitely to Netanyahu. So I hope that this pressure will succeed in reaching a solution.” A ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas