Yesterday I noted the awkwardness of President Biden talking up the odds of a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in between mouthfuls of ice cream at a shop in New York, alongside late-night host Seth Meyers. No one should be surprised to learn that what Biden was saying about the prospects for a cease-fire was not accurate:
President Biden said Israel has agreed to halt the war in Gaza during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan if Hamas releases hostages, adding pressure to negotiators who are racing to broker a cease-fire this week.
Israeli officials said the remarks, coupled with Biden’s prediction that a cease-fire could be reached by Monday, took them by surprise. The president’s remarks were also met with skepticism from some people involved in the negotiations, which are mediated by Qatar and Egypt.
I have periodically asked how much Biden remembers from his briefings. Either Biden doesn’t remember whatever he was told about the state of negotiations and is just winging it, or he is just lying about it. Take your pick, Democrats.