President Joe Biden issued sharp remarks toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, casting doubt on whether the Israeli leader was stalling a Middle East peace deal to sway the 2024 U.S. presidential election. “No administration has helped Israel more than I have. None. And I think Bibi should remember that,” Biden said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname. He added, “Whether he’s trying to influence the election, I don’t know, but I’m not counting on that.” Biden’s comments came after Sen. Chris Murphy expressed concern that Netanyahu might be delaying peace efforts for political reasons linked to U.S. elections. The U.S. president’s relationship with Netanyahu has become increasingly strained as their positions on the Gaza war diverge and each leader faces political pressures. For Biden, securing a diplomatic deal would help unify Democrats who are divided over the Gaza conflict and could boost support for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. Meanwhile, Netanyahu is under pressure from his far-right coalition, which has shown little interest in halting the war amid ongoing strikes against Hezbollah and Gaza. Despite Biden’s repeated calls for diplomacy, Netanyahu has resisted international efforts for a cease-fire. Last week, Israel rejected a 21-day cease-fire proposal backed by the U.S., France, and other allies, with Netanyahu vowing to continue degrading Hezbollah until Israel’s objectives are achieved. Biden acknowledged the challenges in securing peace, stressing the need for Israel to be cautious in its military responses, particularly regarding civilian casualties. He also confirmed that the U.S. military has increased its presence in the region to protect Israel from various threats, including those from Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian-backed forces. Despite their long-standing political relationship, Biden and Netanyahu’s rapport has cooled, with Biden delaying arms transfers to Israel and growing more vocal about the risks of escalating conflict. — Agencies