UPDATE President Biden’s threat to freeze some arms shipments raises alarm in Israel
President Biden’s recent threat to withhold certain arms shipments has raised concerns in Israel about a possible strain in relations with its main ally, reports The Wall Street Journal. Israeli officials fear such a move could jeopardize the country’s long-term military preparedness, especially in the event of multi-front conflicts. While a temporary pause in US arms deliveries may not immediately affect Israel’s ability to engage in war, it sets the stage for a conflict between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The situation drew parallels with past crises in Israeli-American relations, such as Ronald Reagan’s decision to delay deliveries of F-16 warplanes during Israel’s 1981 bombing of Beirut. Netanyahu’s defiant response to Biden’s warning underscores the gravity of the situation, with the Israeli prime minister stressing Israel’s determination to defend itself, even if it means standing alone.
The potential ramifications of Biden’s ultimatum go beyond immediate military operations, raising concerns among Israeli defense officials and within Netanyahu’s own government. As tensions escalate, both Israel and the United States face critical decisions about future arms transfers, with the Biden administration evaluating the implications of its position in Israeli politics and facing scrutiny from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
Israel has been in a long-running conflict with the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, starting with the war against Hamas in Gaza, which began in October. It holds stockpiles of ammunition for a possible war with Hezbollah, but has already used weapons from those stocks during the Gaza war.
The Biden administration is now examining the transfer of specific weapons that Israel could use in any major operation in Rafah. Last month, Congress passed legislation to provide $26 billion in additional assistance to Israel, including to revamp Israel’s air defenses. President Biden signed the bill, along with separate measures to send weapons to Ukraine and Taiwan, in late April.
Thus, Biden’s move caused a reassessment of Israeli-American relations and raised questions about the future dynamics between the two allies in the context of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
UPDATE
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett criticizes the US President: “Biden is a friend of the State of Israel, but his announcement regarding the suspension of arms shipments is a mistake. If you want the massacre of October 7 not to be repeated, you must support the state of Israel in this difficult moment”.
UPDATE
Israeli Broadcasting Corporation: During a call with Netanyahu, Joe Biden expressed his concerns about the operation in Rafah before the residents were evacuated. Biden informed Netanyahu that Washington intended to stop arms shipments if he entered Rafah. Netanyahu replied to Biden that Israel will fight tooth and nail if it has to.
Eurovision: Pro-Palestinian activists demonstrate against the Israeli delegation ahead of its Eurovision semi-final performance in Malmö.
Donald Trump at the entrance to the court in Manhattan: “Any Jew who votes for Biden should be ashamed. He makes political decisions, his behavior is shameful.”
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen: “I repeat my strong warning against any Israeli military operation in Rafah.”
A US official told Al Jazeera: “CIA Director William Burns will return to Washington as scheduled after the round of talks in Cairo.”
UPDATE
Israeli army data: 821 people from the security personnel were killed in the last year, of which 711 on October 7. 834 Israelis have been killed in hostile operations in the past year. 1,533 Israelis have been killed since October 7.
Israel’s representative at the United Nations, Ambassador Gilad Erdan: “The US president’s position may prevent the achievement of one of Tel Aviv’s goals, to eliminate Hamas.”
UPDATE
US report: Israel demands that the Rafah operation be left out of the negotiations with Hamas.
US Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed: “Netanyahu has undermined efforts to reach a permanent solution between Israel and the Palestinians. President Biden was clear with Netanyahu that the invasion of Rafah would be unacceptable. I support President Biden’s decision to halt the delivery of heavy bombs to Israel.”
UPDATE
Hamas: Our delegation left Cairo and flew to Qatar.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: “I turn and say from here to Israel’s enemies and its best friends – the State of Israel cannot be subdued – neither the IDF, nor the Ministry of Defense, nor the security establishment, nor the State of Israel. Let’s achieve our goals – we will cripple Hamas, exterminate Hezbollah and bring security.”
Axios, according to a US official: the suspension of arms shipments to Israel is a way of expressing Washington’s concern about a ground operation in Rafah. The US State Department is examining other arms deals with Israel.
US House GOP introduces a bill to compel anyone accused and convicted of illegal activity on a university campus “to serve a minimum of six months of community service in Gaza.”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Jordanian Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh calls on the international community to reach an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Israel Hayom, according to an Israeli source: The War Council and the Cabinet will hold decisive sessions on the course of action after Biden’s statements. “We need to carry out the Rafah operation to prove our ability to manage military issues without Washington’s support.” The War Cabinet will meet at 18:30, after which the extended political cabinet meeting will take place.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he referred to Biden’s weapons declaration, using a phrase he used earlier this week: “If Israel has to, it will stand and fight alone.”
Initial news
Republican leaders in Congress sent a letter to President Joe Biden expressing concern over the delay in shipping weapons to Israel and questioning the country’s commitment to security.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that Netanyahu’s failure to punish Ben Gabir could endanger both Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and citizens of the State of Israel.
A source cited by Haaretz, under the authority of a senior officer, stressed the importance of taking the threats from the United States seriously and warned that ignoring them could be wrong.
Analyzing the situation, Haaretz reported that in the past, the US military had complete independence from political differences when dealing with the Israeli military, but today the situation is different.
According to political analyst Nadav Eyal of Yedioth Ahronoth, Biden’s decision to stop arms shipments to Israel is effectively an end to the war.
A senior Israeli official stated that the country has sufficient resources to enter and occupy Rafah without American help, while emphasizing the importance of the message sent to Iran and Hezbollah.
Iran’s foreign minister has warned that the consequences will be dire if Washington allows Netanyahu to commit new crimes in Rafah, accusing the Zionist regime of causing a humanitarian catastrophe.
Diplomats cited by the Washington Post revealed that the stoppage of American arms shipments to Israel came after intense discussions between the two sides. According to a diplomat, Israel expressed deep frustration with the delay and anger that the issue was brought to public attention. Israeli officials strongly opposed Washington’s decision, arguing that it could undermine the current negotiations.
Former Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman publicly called on Netanyahu to take responsibility and resign, expressing his disappointment with the current situation.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog commented on Ben Gabir’s tweet against Biden, stressing the importance of clarifying disputes between friends and allies in a responsible manner that respects Israel’s national security. In a separate message, the Iranian president reiterated his country’s determination to defend its military capabilities and not to compromise in the face of external pressure.
For the most important news of the day, transmitted in real time and presented equidistantly, LIKE our Facebook page!
Follow Mediafax on Instagram to see spectacular images and stories from around the world!
Answer on the websites of Aleph News, Mediafax, Ziarul Financiar and on our social media pages – ȘTIU and Aleph News. See the answer to I know, from 19.55, Aleph News.
The content of the www.mediafax.ro website is intended exclusively for your information and personal use. It is forbidden republication of the content of this site without the consent of MEDIAFAX. To obtain this agreement, please contact us at [email protected].
-
