Though many members of Congress have called for a ceasefire in the Middle East, the Biden White House has so far stopped short of doing so:
The Middle East conflict is proving a major foreign policy challenge for President Biden. 29 Democratic U.S. Senators are calling for an immediate ceasefire.@Weijia Jiang reports from the White House. pic.twitter.com/RrTURPmPci
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) May 17, 2021
The White House may not have called for a ceasefire, but the messaging sure is taking shape. First up, Biden national security adviser Jake Sullivan:
I spoke this morning with Israeli National Security Advisor Meir Ben Shabbat about the ongoing crisis. I also spoke with the Government of Egypt. The United States is engaged in quiet, intensive diplomacy and our efforts will continue.
— Jake Sullivan (@JakeSullivan46) May 17, 2021
Clearly they’ve settled on the language because Jen Psaki said the same thing at today’s briefing:
Jen Psaki repeats the “quiet, intensive diplomacy” line from the podium – part of the new messaging strategy: https://t.co/kzfALYhu7S
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) May 17, 2021
“Our approach is through quiet, intensive diplomacy and that’s where we feel we can be most effective,” Press Sec. Psaki to @CeciliaVega on Israel-Hamas conflict. https://t.co/gCBXEKglfZ pic.twitter.com/OZP6F0Jv17
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) May 17, 2021
It all has a very Obama-esque sound to it.
translation: WEAKNESS https://t.co/x4tF8mjM1f
— Mary Loves America (@MarySmi36126717) May 17, 2021
At some point we’re guessing the White House might get James Taylor involved somehow.
Reagan & Trump: Peace through strength
Biden: “quiet diplomacy”
When an ally is under attack from terrorists, it is not the time to be “quiet.” https://t.co/GGhwIbPUlO
— Jane Timken (@JaneTimkenOH) May 17, 2021
