Unsure if Israel is stalling Mideast peace deal to influence US elections: Biden

US President Joe Biden on Friday said he was unsure if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was holding up a Middle East peace deal to try to influence the outcome of the US Presidential elections, slated to take place on November 5. His remark comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
Addressing Netanyahu by his nickname, Biden claimed no other nation in the world has helped Israel more than the US. However, he expressed his skepticism about whether the Jewish PM was trying to stall the peace deal in order to sway the outcome of the elections.
“No administration has helped Israel more than I have. None. None. None. And I think Bibi should remember that. And whether he’s trying to influence the election, I don’t know, but I’m not counting on that,” Biden said.
Biden had said that an “all-out war” in the Middle East was unlikely and needed to be avoided when he was asked about the possibility of escalating tensions culminating into a full-blown war.
He, however, reiterated the US’ allegiance to Israel in its cause, adding, “We have already helped Israel. We are going to protect Israel.”
Just last week, the US, France and other allies jointly called for an immediate 21-day Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire. Netanyahu rejected it, telling leaders gathered for the UN General Assembly that Israel would “continue degrading Hezbollah until all our objectives are met”.
Joe Biden had also said that he would consider other alternatives to striking Iranian oil fields if he were in Israel’s shoes, adding he thinks Israel has not yet concluded how to respond to Iran.
Iran had fired around 200 missiles at Israel following the Jewish nation’s continuous airstrikes in Lebanon, which also led to the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.
“The Israelis have not concluded what they are going to do in terms of a strike. If I were in their shoes, I’d be thinking about other alternatives than striking oilfields,” he said after reports emerged claiming Israel was mulling attacking Iran’s oilfields.