Biden and Netanyahu hold first call in more than a month as tension grows over food crisis, war

By Aamer Madhani, Zeke Miller And Julia Frankel, The Associated Press on March 18, 2024.

FILE - In this image provided by The White House, President Joe Biden speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone from his private residence in Wilmington, Del., Dec. 30, 2021. Biden's sprawling home outside downtown Wilmington, has a special place in his heart. When he met special prosecutor Robert Hur to talk about the sensitive documents heâ€™d improperly kept after his vice presidency, Biden told Hur three times he is a â€œfrustrated architect.â€ (Adam Schultz/The White House via AP, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Monday, their first interaction in more than a month as the divide has grown between allies over food crisis in Gaza, conduct of war, according to the White House.

The call comes after Republicans in Washington and Israeli officials were quick to express outrage after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sharply criticizedNetanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza and called for Israel to hold new elections. They accused the Democratic leader of breaking the unwritten rule against interfering in a close ally’s electoral politics.

Biden hasn’t endorsed Schumer’s call for election but said he thought he gave a “good speech” that reflected the concerns of many Americans.