Netanyahu rejects Biden’s call for ‘significant de-escalation,’ cease-fire in Israel conflict

According to Fox News, during their conversation on Wednesday morning, Biden and Netanyahu "had a detailed discussion of the state of events in Gaza, Israel’s progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States."

Amid exchanges of rocket-fire between Israel and Hamas, the White House stated that "[Biden] conveyed to the Prime Minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire."

Netanyahu would say after conversations with the President that he "greatly appreciates the support of the American president," but that Israel would rather "return the calm and security to you, citizens of Israel."

He said he is "determined to continue this operation until its aim is met."

In contrast with many in his party, Biden has supported Israel's right to defend itself, and pointing out that Hamas is a terrorist organization. Antony Blinken, Biden's Secretary of State, made the distinction clear between the two sides in the conflict. There are "fundamental differences," he said, "between a terrorist organization, Hamas, that is indiscriminately raining down rockets -- in fact, targeting civilians -- and Israel's response defending itself, that is targeting the terrorists."

Other Democrats have been critical of Biden's position. Among them, members of The Squad have been the most outspoken.

In a tweet, Michigan's Rashida Tlaib criticized the Biden administration's decision to try and work with the Israeli Prime Minister. "If you support a cease-fire," she said, "then get out of the way of the UN Security Council and join other countries in demanding it. Apartheid-in-chief Netanyahu will not listen to anyone asking nicely. He commits war crimes and openly violates international law."

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has posted about the conflict numerous times on Twitter, mostly decrying the fact that Israeli military is operating "with the support of the United States."

On the House floor, Ayana Pressley gave a speech in which she suggested that the $3.8 billion in military aid sent to Israel by the United States was "used to demolish Palestinian homes, imprison Palestinian children and displace Palestinian families."

Israel has been barraged with rocket-fire from Hamas militants, however thanks to the country's Iron Dome security system, the damage has been minimal. In response the Israeli military has taken out key targets in Gaza. However, given the fact that Hamas often uses ordinary people as human shields, it appears to many outsiders that the military is indiscriminately bombing Palestinian civilians.

According to the Associated Press, "top Biden administration officials underscored to the Israelis on Monday and Tuesday that time is not on their side in terms of international objections to nine days of Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rockets, and that it is in their interest to wind down the operations soon."