Biden, Netanyahu on collision course after Gaza UN vote
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, to discuss the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. Miriam Alster/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
2023年10月18日星期三，美国总统乔·拜登（左）在以色列特拉维夫会见以色列总理本雅明·内塔尼亚胡（右），讨论以色列与哈马斯之间持续的冲突。Miriam Alster/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo 购买许可权
2023年10月18日星期三，美国总统乔·拜登（左）在以色列特拉维夫会见以色列总理本雅明·内塔尼亚胡（右），讨论以色列与哈马斯之间持续的冲突。Miriam Alster/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo 购买许可权
WASHINGTON, March 25 (Reuters) - Relations between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sank to a wartime low on Monday with the U.S. allowing passage of a Gaza ceasefire resolution at the United Nations and drawing a sharp rebuke from the Israeli leader.
华盛顿，3月25日（路透社） - 美国总统拜登和总理本雅明·内塔尼亚胡之间的关系周一跌至战时低点，美国允许在联合国通过加沙停火决议，并受到以色列领导人的严厉谴责。
华盛顿，3月25日（路透社） - 美国总统拜登和总理本雅明·内塔尼亚胡之间的关系周一跌至战时低点，美国允许在联合国通过加沙停火决议，并受到以色列领导人的严厉谴责。
Netanyahu abruptly scrapped a visit to Washington this week by a senior delegation to discuss Israel’s threatened offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah after the U.S. abstained in a Security Council vote that demanded an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the release of all hostages held by the Palestinian militants.
内塔尼亚胡本周突然取消了一个高级代表团对华盛顿的访问，讨论以色列在加沙南部城市拉法的威胁攻势，此前美国在安理会投票中投了弃权票，要求以色列和哈马斯之间立即停火，并释放所有被巴勒斯坦武装分子扣押的人质。
内塔尼亚胡本周突然取消了一个高级代表团对华盛顿的访问，讨论以色列在加沙南部城市拉法的威胁攻势，此前美国在安理会投票中投了弃权票，要求以色列和哈马斯之间立即停火，并释放所有被巴勒斯坦武装分子扣押的人质。
The suspension of that meeting puts a major new obstacle in the way of efforts by the U.S., concerned about a deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, to get Netanyahu to consider alternatives to a ground invasion of Rafah, the last relatively safe haven for Palestinian civilians.
该会议的暂停给美国的努力带来了新的重大障碍，美国担心加沙的人道主义灾难不断加深，让内塔尼亚胡考虑对拉法进行地面入侵的替代方案，拉法是巴勒斯坦平民最后一个相对安全的避风港。
该会议的暂停给美国的努力带来了新的重大障碍，美国担心加沙的人道主义灾难不断加深，让内塔尼亚胡考虑对拉法进行地面入侵的替代方案，拉法是巴勒斯坦平民最后一个相对安全的避风港。
The threat of such an offensive has increased tensions between longtime allies the United States and Israel, and raised questions about whether the U.S. might restrict military aid if Netanyahu defies Biden and presses ahead anyway.
这种攻势的威胁加剧了美国和以色列长期盟友之间的紧张关系，并引发了人们的疑问，即如果内塔尼亚胡无视拜登并继续前进，美国是否会限制军事援助。
这种攻势的威胁加剧了美国和以色列长期盟友之间的紧张关系，并引发了人们的疑问，即如果内塔尼亚胡无视拜登并继续前进，美国是否会限制军事援助。
"This shows that trust between the Biden administration and Netanyahu may be breaking down," said Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East negotiator for Republican and Democratic administrations. "If the crisis is not managed carefully, it’s only going to continue to worsen."
“这表明拜登政府与内塔尼亚胡之间的信任可能正在破裂，”共和党和民主党政府前中东谈判代表亚伦·戴维·米勒（Aaron David Miller）说。“如果危机管理不当，它只会继续恶化。
“这表明拜登政府与内塔尼亚胡之间的信任可能正在破裂，”共和党和民主党政府前中东谈判代表亚伦·戴维·米勒（Aaron David Miller）说。“如果危机管理不当，它只会继续恶化。
Biden’s decision to abstain at the U.N., coming after months of mostly adhering to longtime U.S. policy of shielding Israel at the world body, appeared to reflect growing U.S. frustration with the Israeli leader.
拜登决定在联合国投弃权票，此前几个月来，拜登一直坚持美国在世界机构中保护以色列的长期政策，这似乎反映了美国对以色列领导人日益增长的挫败感。
拜登决定在联合国投弃权票，此前几个月来，拜登一直坚持美国在世界机构中保护以色列的长期政策，这似乎反映了美国对以色列领导人日益增长的挫败感。
The president, running for re-election in November, faces pressure not just from America's allies but from a growing number of fellow Democrats to rein in the Israeli military response to Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 cross-border rampage that Israel says killed 1,200 people.
Netanyahu confronts domestic challenges of his own, not least his far-right coalition members’ demands for a hard line against the Palestinians. He also must convince hostages’ families he is doing everything for their release while facing frequent protests calling for his resignation.
内塔尼亚胡面临着他自己的国内挑战，尤其是他的极右翼联盟成员要求对巴勒斯坦人采取强硬路线。他还必须说服人质的家人，他正在尽一切努力释放他们，同时面临频繁的抗议活动，要求他辞职。
内塔尼亚胡面临着他自己的国内挑战，尤其是他的极右翼联盟成员要求对巴勒斯坦人采取强硬路线。他还必须说服人质的家人，他正在尽一切努力释放他们，同时面临频繁的抗议活动，要求他辞职。
As Netanyahu's office announced the cancellation of the visit, he said the failure of the U.S. to veto the resolution was a "clear retreat" from its previous position and would hurt Israel's war efforts.
当内塔尼亚胡的办公室宣布取消访问时，他说，美国未能否决该决议是对其先前立场的“明显撤退”，并将损害以色列的战争努力。
当内塔尼亚胡的办公室宣布取消访问时，他说，美国未能否决该决议是对其先前立场的“明显撤退”，并将损害以色列的战争努力。
PERPLEXED 困惑
U.S. officials said the Biden administration was perplexed by Israel's decision and considered it an overreaction, insisting there had been no change in policy.
美国官员表示，拜登政府对以色列的决定感到困惑，并认为这是过度反应，坚称政策没有改变。
美国官员表示，拜登政府对以色列的决定感到困惑，并认为这是过度反应，坚称政策没有改变。
Washington had mostly avoided the word "ceasefire" earlier in the nearly six-month-old war in the Gaza Strip and had used its veto power at the U.N. to shield Israel as it retaliated against Hamas.
在加沙地带近六个月的战争中，华盛顿基本上避免了“停火”一词，并在联合国使用否决权来保护以色列，因为它对哈马斯进行了报复。
在加沙地带近六个月的战争中，华盛顿基本上避免了“停火”一词，并在联合国使用否决权来保护以色列，因为它对哈马斯进行了报复。
But as famine looms in Gaza and amid growing global pressure for a truce in the war that Palestinian health authorities say has killed some 32,000 Palestinians, the U.S. abstained on a call for a ceasefire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which ends in two weeks.
但是，随着加沙饥荒迫在眉睫，以及巴勒斯坦卫生当局称已造成约32,000名巴勒斯坦人死亡的战争停火的全球压力越来越大，美国对穆斯林斋月停火的呼吁投了弃权票，斋月将在两周内结束。
但是，随着加沙饥荒迫在眉睫，以及巴勒斯坦卫生当局称已造成约32,000名巴勒斯坦人死亡的战争停火的全球压力越来越大，美国对穆斯林斋月停火的呼吁投了弃权票，斋月将在两周内结束。
The challenge now for Biden and Netanyahu is to keep their differences from escalating out of control, analysts say.
分析人士说，拜登和内塔尼亚胡现在面临的挑战是防止他们的分歧升级失控。
分析人士说，拜登和内塔尼亚胡现在面临的挑战是防止他们的分歧升级失控。
Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, said there was no reason this should be a "mortal blow" to relations. "So I don’t think the door is closed to anything," he said.
华盛顿智库战略与国际研究中心中东项目主任乔恩·奥特曼（Jon Alterman）表示，没有理由对两国关系造成“致命打击”。“所以我不认为大门对任何事情都关闭了，”他说。
华盛顿智库战略与国际研究中心中东项目主任乔恩·奥特曼（Jon Alterman）表示，没有理由对两国关系造成“致命打击”。“所以我不认为大门对任何事情都关闭了，”他说。
Signalling that the two governments remain in close communication, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, on a visit separate from the one Netanyahu's delegation scrubbed earlier, went ahead with high-level meetings in Washington on Monday.
以色列国防部长约阿夫·加兰特（Yoav Gallant）表示两国政府保持密切沟通，与内塔尼亚胡代表团早些时候的访问分开，周一在华盛顿举行了高级别会议。
以色列国防部长约阿夫·加兰特（Yoav Gallant）表示两国政府保持密切沟通，与内塔尼亚胡代表团早些时候的访问分开，周一在华盛顿举行了高级别会议。
But the U.S. abstention adds to a deepening rift between Biden and Netanyahu, who have known each other for years but have had a testy relationship even in the best of times.
但美国的弃权加剧了拜登和内塔尼亚胡之间的裂痕加深，他们已经认识多年，但即使在最好的时候也关系紧张。
但美国的弃权加剧了拜登和内塔尼亚胡之间的裂痕加深，他们已经认识多年，但即使在最好的时候也关系紧张。
Earlier this month, Biden said in an MSNBC interview that a Rafah invasion would be a "red line," though he added that the defense of Israel is "critical" and there is no way "I’m going to cut off all weapons so that they don’t have the Iron Dome (missile defense system) to protect them."
本月早些时候，拜登在接受 MSNBC 采访时表示，拉法入侵将是一条“红线”，尽管他补充说，以色列的防御是“至关重要的”，而且“我将切断所有武器，这样他们就没有铁穹（导弹防御系统）来保护他们。
本月早些时候，拜登在接受 MSNBC 采访时表示，拉法入侵将是一条“红线”，尽管他补充说，以色列的防御是“至关重要的”，而且“我将切断所有武器，这样他们就没有铁穹（导弹防御系统）来保护他们。
Netanyahu dismissed Biden's criticism and vowed to press forward in Rafah, the last part of the Gaza Strip where Israeli forces have not carried out a ground offensive, though U.S. officials say there are no signs of an imminent operation.
内塔尼亚胡驳斥了拜登的批评，并发誓要在加沙地带的最后一部分拉法推进，以色列军队没有在那里进行地面攻势，尽管美国官员表示没有迹象表明即将采取行动。
内塔尼亚胡驳斥了拜登的批评，并发誓要在加沙地带的最后一部分拉法推进，以色列军队没有在那里进行地面攻势，尽管美国官员表示没有迹象表明即将采取行动。
That was followed last week with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the country’s highest-ranking Jewish elected official, describing Netanyahu as an obstacle to peace and calling for new elections in Israel to replace him.
上周，美国参议院多数党领袖查克·舒默（Chuck Schumer）是该国最高级别的犹太民选官员，他将内塔尼亚胡描述为和平的障碍，并呼吁以色列举行新的选举以取代他。
上周，美国参议院多数党领袖查克·舒默（Chuck Schumer）是该国最高级别的犹太民选官员，他将内塔尼亚胡描述为和平的障碍，并呼吁以色列举行新的选举以取代他。
Biden called it a "good speech."
拜登称这是一次“好演讲”。
拜登称这是一次“好演讲”。
But Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters on Wednesday he was thinking of inviting Netanyahu, who spoke by videolink to Republican senators last week, to address Congress. That would be seen as a jab at Biden, giving Netanyahu a high-profile forum to air grievances against the U.S. administration.
但共和党众议院议长迈克约翰逊周三告诉记者，他正在考虑邀请内塔尼亚胡上周通过视频链接与共和党参议员发表讲话，向国会发表讲话。这将被视为对拜登的抨击，为内塔尼亚胡提供了一个高调的论坛来表达对美国政府的不满。
但共和党众议院议长迈克约翰逊周三告诉记者，他正在考虑邀请内塔尼亚胡上周通过视频链接与共和党参议员发表讲话，向国会发表讲话。这将被视为对拜登的抨击，为内塔尼亚胡提供了一个高调的论坛来表达对美国政府的不满。
Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse told Reuters that Netanyahu appeared to be working with Republicans to "weaponize the U.S.-Israel relationship in favor of the right wing."
民主党参议员谢尔顿怀特豪斯告诉路透社，内塔尼亚胡似乎正在与共和党人合作，“将美以关系武器化，以支持右翼”。
民主党参议员谢尔顿怀特豪斯告诉路透社，内塔尼亚胡似乎正在与共和党人合作，“将美以关系武器化，以支持右翼”。
Biden’s 2024 re-election bid limits his options: he needs to avoid giving Republicans an issue to seize on with pro-Israel voters, while also halting the erosion of support from progressive Democrats dismayed by his strong backing for Israel.
拜登的 2024 年连任竞选限制了他的选择：他需要避免给共和党人一个与亲以色列选民打交道的问题，同时还要阻止进步民主党人的支持受到侵蚀，他们对他对以色列的强烈支持感到沮丧。
拜登的 2024 年连任竞选限制了他的选择：他需要避免给共和党人一个与亲以色列选民打交道的问题，同时还要阻止进步民主党人的支持受到侵蚀，他们对他对以色列的强烈支持感到沮丧。
Netanyahu, aware that polls show him being soundly defeated in any election held now, knows there is wide support for continuing the war in Gaza among an Israeli population still deeply traumatized by the Oct. 7 assault.
So he appears willing to risk testing Washington's tolerance.
All members of Netanyahu's emergency unity government support continuing the war until Hamas is destroyed and the hostages are returned, and there has been little sign of willingness to meet U.S. calls for moderation, despite the growing risk of international isolation.
Hard-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Israel was a partner but the United States was not its "patron state".
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Reporting by Matt Spetalnick; additional reporting by Steve Holland, Jonathan Landay and Arshad Mohammed in Washington, James Mackenzie and Dan Williams in Jerusalem; Writing by Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Don Durfee and Alistair Bell
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