The ceasefire in Gaza and Israel is holding, albeit tenuously, right now. Meanwhile, it is hardly a time of peace, as Israel has already stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque compound twice, has clamped down on Sheikh Jarrah again, and is arresting waves of its own Palestinian citizens. That’s what the U.S. media calls “quiet” or a “lull.”
But while it may seem to some that the latest round of escalated violence has ended with the status quo restored, the political playing field is not the same as it was just a few weeks ago. Thus far, President Joe Biden has elected to approach Israel and Palestine from the same, worn playbook that has failed for decades. In my latest piece for Responsible Statecraft, I examine that new playing field and how Biden needs to adjust to it.