Former Biden Administration Official: Washington's Support for Israel Has Collapsed... and May Not Recover
Former National Security Advisor Phil Gordon warns of the collapse of US-Israel relations and the impact of elections on regional escalation.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
Phil Gordon, former National Security Advisor to US Vice President Kamala Harris, warned of a collapse in popular and political support for Israel in the United States, arguing that the damage to bilateral relations may be irreparable, even after the departure of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump from power.
In an interview with the Israeli website "Walla," he emphasized that American attitudes toward Israel have undergone a rapid and profound shift, particularly among younger generations, and that calls to restrict arms sales and military aid have become a major trend within the Democratic Party, with rising criticism of Israel also emerging within the Republican Party.
He revealed that Hamas agreed in early July 2024 to drop its precondition of a permanent ceasefire beforehand, but Netanyahu added new conditions during a call with former President Joe Biden on July 4, most notably maintaining control over the Philadelphi Corridor and inspecting returnees to northern Gaza.
Gordon considered Netanyahu’s insistence on these conditions as having made a deal impossible at the time, noting that they were later dropped in the January 2025 agreement. During the delay, approximately 9,000 additional Palestinians were killed and Israeli hostages died.
Gordon declined to definitively state Netanyahu’s motives, but pointed out that rejecting the agreement aligned with his political interests and his need to maintain his governing coalition, despite objections from security officials, including former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Gordon believed the US administration should have exerted greater pressure to end the war early, through diplomatic means and by imposing conditions on arms supplies, without needing to completely halt military aid.
He described the US-Iran confrontation as a "dangerous and volatile stalemate," believing each side thinks time is on its side, while warning that Iran might resort to escalation through its allies before succumbing to US pressure.
Gordon said Trump repeatedly backed down in recent months from resuming military attacks against Iran after realizing their consequences could be devastating, but he warned that electoral calculations in Israel and the US could drive a new escalation.
Summarizing the interview, Gordon viewed that Netanyahu’s policies during the Gaza war had inflicted deep damage on US-Israeli relations, and that changing the Israeli government would not be enough on its own to restore previous support.
He also warned that resuming war with Iran, particularly for election-related motives, could lead to catastrophic and unpredictable regional repercussions.
