In the Oval Office, Secretary of State Antony Blinken extends a paper across the desk and says, “Mr. President, we have a new report from Gaza.”

“Just read it to me, please.”

Blinken, sitting opposite Biden, clears his throat and reports, “More than twenty-three thousand people, including at least ten thousand children, have been killed since October seventh, 2023. Furthermore, at least fifty thousand others have been wounded, many severely. According to our satellite data as well as that of news agencies such as the Associated Press, about half the buildings in Gaza have been demolished or damaged and almost two million people, more than eighty percent of the population, have been internally displaced. Almost all the people in Gaza are suffering from severe shortages of food, clean water, medical care, and other necessities of life.”

Exhaling, Biden rubs his eyes with his thumb and two fingers before saying, “The people of Gaza can’t survive much longer.”

“Their situation is severe, indeed, but Hamas’ brutal leaders brought this suffering on their people.”

“I’ve realized too slowly that Israel’s response has been more than adequate to deter future invasions.”

“Joe, I lost many relatives in the Holocaust. We must never forget.”

“That’s right,” Biden says. “We must also remember the Native Americans suffered three centuries of genocide. Tell me, why don’t we spell that holocaust with a capital H?”

Stunned and silent for several seconds, Blinken replies, “Because that Holocaust was the worst atrocity in human history.”

Biden shakes his head and asks, “Worse than the Turks slaughtering a million Armenians? More catastrophic than the Hutus butchering half million Tutsis in Rwanda? What about Stalin and Mao each shooting and starving some thirty million in their countries?”

“All quite tragic,” says Blinken.

“Unless we do something, Gaza will be the same.”

Blinken interlaces fingers and places his hands on the presidential desk and says, “We’re doing everything possible. There’s just no way to stop the onslaught.”

“Tony, time to be honest. We know how to stop this.”

Biden picks up the phone on his desk and says, “Get Prime Minister Netanyahu on the line right away.”

In less than ten minutes Biden hears, “Mr. President, I’m delighted you called. And your timing couldn’t be more perfect. I’ve just emerged from a meeting with my top advisors, and we’re unanimous about our need for more bombs, missiles, ammunition, and money. And I speak for all Israelis in thanking you for your incredible generosity and that of the American people.”

“Bibi,” says Biden, “You have twenty-four hours to cease all military operations in Gaza.”

Blinken’s mouth pops open as he watches Biden, receiver pressed to his ear. Netanyahu does not respond right away, then says, “You’re joking, Mr. President.”

“No, I’m not.”

“We can’t stop defending ourselves against those who seek to annihilate us.”

“Listen, Bibi, there’s already an annihilation underway, but this time the Jews aren’t the victims, the Arabs are.”

“I’ll have to talk to my cabinet and see what they say.”

“I don’t give a damn what they say. Either stop the slaughter in Gaza within twenty-four hours or there’ll be no more aid from the United States, not single dollar or bullet.”

“That would put us in existential danger,” says Netanyahu.

“On the contrary, Israel’s current behavior in Gaza, as well as the West Bank, is contrary to Israel’s longtime security interests. I’ll call you tomorrow, Bibi.”

Barely audible, the prime minister utters, “Good day, Mr. President.”

Blinken stands and says, “This is outrageous, and if you don’t desist, I’ll tender my regulation.”

Biden picks up a pen from his desk and hands it to Blinken, who pauses, puts the pen down, and says, “Okay, let’s cut off the aid and see what Israel does.”