Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed his Cabinet recently that there was a significant decrease in U.S. weapons deliveries for Israel’s operations in Gaza, reiterating a claim that the Biden administration has refuted.
Netanyahu mentioned the drop occurred four months ago but did not specify which weapons were affected, noting that while some items arrived sporadically, overall munitions deliveries were delayed.
This disagreement underscores the heightened tensions between Israel and Washington regarding the conflict in Gaza, mainly focusing on the Israeli military’s actions in the region and the humanitarian impact on civilians. President Joe Biden had postponed the delivery of certain heavy bombs since May due to these concerns. However, his administration pushed back last week against Netanyahu’s assertions that other shipments had also been impacted.
Netanyahu informed the Cabinet that he felt compelled to release a video in English last week after repeated, unsuccessful attempts to urge American officials to expedite weapons deliveries. He mentioned that a resolution seemed imminent.
“Based on what I’ve heard recently, I am hopeful and believe this issue will soon be resolved,” he said without providing further details.
Netanyahu’s Plea
Netanyahu’s video last week sparked an outcry among Israel’s critics, and White House officials responded with confusion and denials. According to John Kirby, White House national security spokesman, the U.S. is “perplexed” by Netanyahu’s claims. Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, added, “Generally, we don’t understand what he’s saying.”
These comments came just hours after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant traveled to Washington for discussions with senior officials. A statement from Gallant’s office indicated that he would be discussing “maintaining Israel’s qualitative edge in the region” without mentioning the weapons issue.
The Gaza war, initiated by Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel, has severely tested the U.S.-Israel relationship. Despite the U.S. strongly backing Israel’s objectives of rescuing hostages from Gaza and defeating Hamas, there are rising concerns in Washington about the increasing Palestinian death toll and the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict.
Biden’s Dilemma
President Biden has faced pressure from progressive Democrats to adopt a tougher stance against Israel, prompting him to intensify his warnings to Netanyahu regarding military operations in the Gaza Strip. Although Biden threatened a broader ban on arms transfers following an assault on Rafah, his administration has refrained from suggesting that Israel’s broader offensive in southern Gaza has crossed a critical line.
In an election year, Biden is also criticized by the right for supposedly reducing his support for a key Middle Eastern ally. The widening gap with the U.S. brings political risks and opportunities for Netanyahu.
Multiple Jewish Democrats and voters have conveyed feelings of disappointment and abandonment by progressive allies, feeling “politically homeless” because they believe Biden hasn’t done enough and fear he can’t control his left-wing base.
His critics argue that these public disagreements are the result of a leader willing to jeopardize vital alliances and tarnish Israel’s global image for political gain. However, the rift also allows Netanyahu to demonstrate to his base that he is not subservient to the U.S. and is prioritizing Israel’s interests.
Democrats are anxious about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming address to Congress on July 24, which is likely to face boycotts and disruptions. Significant pro-Palestinian protests are expected at the Democratic convention in August, alongside potential renewed debates over the party platform’s stance on Israel, including the status of Jerusalem as the capital.
