Biden's mixed messages on Bibi's future: Joe says there's 'every reason' to think Netanyahu is dragging out Gaza war to stay in power... then insists he isn't 'playing politics'

President Joe Biden credited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with struggling with a grave situation – not playing politics – when asked for his latest take on the war in Gaza that is complicating his own reelection.

The president fielded a question at the end of a statement about his new executive order on immigration and asylum claims. 

He plucked the off-topic question out of a clash of shouted questions following the event, as he staked new ground on a the issue that has caused difficulties throughout his term.

A network reporter asked if the embattled Israeli prime minister was 'playing politics with the war.'

'I don’t think so. He’s trying to work out a serious problem he has,' Biden responded, crediting Netanyahu with a good faith effort.

It followed comments by Biden about Netanyahu in a new Time Magazine interview, conducted May 28, when Biden was asked if Netanyahu was prolonging the war for his own self-preservation.

'I'm not going to comment on that. There is every reason for people to draw that conclusion,' Biden responded. Then he cited a domestic political fight in Israel over a constitutional court. 'And so it's an internal domestic debate that seems to have no consequence. And whether he would change his position or not, it's hard to say, but it has not been helpful,' he added. 

But he appeared reluctant to criticize Netanyahu for bearing responsibility for the horrific October 7 Hamas attack inside Israel.

'I don't know how any one person has that responsibility. He was the leader of the country, so therefore, it happened. But he wasn't the only one that didn't pick it up,' Biden said. 

Rival Donald Trump had said October 7 'should have never happened' but it did 'on [Netanyahu's] watch.'

Senior Democrats fear Israel's war in Gaza could expose intra-party rifts, as a divisive conflict could run at least until the November U.S. elections. Netanyahu is vowing to destroy Hamas.

Biden on Monday touted a phased agreement to end the war, in a sign of the urgency of the issue, with American citizen hostages still held in Gaza.