Opinion: Why Biden's ceasefire speech was a sham

US President Joe Biden last week announced that “Israel has offered a comprehensive new proposal” - one that “brings all the hostages home, ensures Israel’s security, creates a better ‘day after’ in Gaza without Hamas in power, and sets the stage for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike”.

Why Biden decided to present this as an Israeli proposal instead of a US one is unclear. In the past, Middle Eastern politics was accustomed to US mediation and facilitation; now, Washington appears to be limiting itself to presenting Israeli proposals. 

To a certain extent, this lends credibility to the argument that the US has always been Israel’s best lawyer. But the reality this time could be a bit more nuanced.

READ MORE: Why Biden's ceasefire speech was a sham, opinion by Marco Carnelos