President Joe Biden and his team find themselves facing a highly intricate diplomatic challenge as they navigate the escalating violence in Israel, unlike any previous Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Several factors contribute to the complexity of the situation:

1. Strained Relations: The close friendship between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which spans decades, has been strained due to Netanyahu’s far-right governing coalition in Israel.

2. Palestinian Political Fragmentation: A fragmented Palestinian political environment makes it challenging for American officials to identify a reliable negotiating partner among the Palestinians.

3. Republican Presidential Campaign: Within the United States, an active Republican presidential primary campaign is poised to place blame on Biden for what some perceive as contributing to the attacks on Israel through his recent deal with Iran.

4. Regional Dynamics: In the background, a significant normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which Biden had been cautiously optimistic about, hangs in the balance.

5. Ongoing Geopolitical Challenges: This volatile situation in the Middle East adds to the complex geopolitical landscape that President Biden is navigating, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has become a contentious issue domestically.

President Biden expressed support for Israel in a phone call with Prime Minister Netanyahu, stating that the United States is ready to provide appropriate means of support to the government and people of Israel as they grapple with this escalating crisis.