President Joe Biden was caught on a hot mic saying he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will need a "come to Jesus' meeting about the war and ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Biden stopped to chat with Sen. Michael Bennett, a Democrat from Colorado, as he left the House chamber Thursday night after delivering the State of the Union address.
The senator urged the president to continue pushing Netanyahu to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip to help the Palestinian people.
Addressing the Israeli leader by his nickname, Biden said: "I told him, Bibi, and don't repeat this, but you and I are going to have a 'come to Jesus' meeting," the Associated Press reported.
A presidential aide standing nearby whispered into Biden's ear that the microphones were still recording as the president greeted lawmakers in the chamber.
"I'm on a hot mic here," Biden said after being informed. "Good. That's good."
Biden has come under criticism from many in the Democratic Party for not being forceful enough in his dealings with Netanyahu and for not pressing the need for ceasefire to ensure much-needed aid can be shipped into the region.
More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Hama invaded Israel on Oct. 7 and thousands more are on the verge of dying from starvation and dehydration.
Asked about the president's comments on Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris told ABC News that "he meant what he said."
"Some of us grew up in communities where when a 'come to Jesus' talk is about having a serious talk, based on candor," Harris said.
She reiterated the US' commitment to Israel and its ability to defend itself, but "how it does matters, and far too many Palestinians have been killed."
"And the bottom line is we all want this conflict to end as soon as possible and how it does matters," she said. "We've got to get aid in and, and really, we've got to get this hostage deal done."
In the State of the Union address, Biden spoke of the dire plight of the Palestinian people.
"Nearly 2 million more Palestinians under bombardment or displacement. Homes destroyed, neighborhoods in rubble, cities in ruin. Families without food, water, medicine.It's heartbreaking," he said during the speech Thursday night.
Biden affirmed Israel's right "to go after Hamas, " but noted that it also has a "fundamental responsibility,though,to protect innocent civilians in Gaza.
He also confirmed that his administration would build a temporary port on the Gaza coast to ensure more humanitarian aid than can be delivered by trucks reaches the Palestinians.
"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," Biden said, adding, "no U.S. boots will be on the ground."
"A temporary pier will enable a massive increase in the amount of humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza every day," Biden said.
