President Biden told a Democratic lawmaker and members of his Cabinet after the State of the Union address that he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that they will need to have a “come-to-Jesus meeting.”
Biden’s comments, captured on a hot mic as he spoke with Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) on the floor of the House chamber, came after Bennet congratulated the commander in chief on his speech and pressed him to keep pressure on Netanyahu over increasing humanitarian issues in Gaza.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg were standing with Biden and Bennet during the brief exchange.
Biden shared with the group that he told Netanyahu, “you and I are going to have a come-to-Jesus meeting,” adding he didn’t want them to repeat what he said.
An aide to Biden then appeared to inform the president that his microphone was still on.
“I’m on a hot mic here,” Biden replied. “Good. That’s good.”
Biden during his address spent more than five minutes talking about the Israel-Hamas war, the most time spent on a single topic other than when he spoke on democracy, according to a CNN breakdown of the speech.
“This war has taken a greater toll on innocent civilians than all previous wars in Gaza combined,” Biden said, adding that he has called on Israel to “do its part” and allow more aid inside the enclave and more border openings.
The president, who has publicly voiced his frustration with Netanyahu and his government’s unwillingness to allow more critically needed aid to make its way into Gaza, announced in his speech that the U.S. military would help set up a temporary pier near the territory to deliver more supplies.
“Tonight I’m directing the U.S. military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier in the Mediterranean on the coast of Gaza that can receive large shipments carrying food, water, medicine and temporary shelters,” he said.
The Pentagon last week began air dropping aid into Gaza.