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And in fact, everything that is currently being heard from Washington and Tel Aviv indicates that this is about relations between Israel and its main ally the US, between US President Joe Biden (81) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (74), is poorly organized. There is talk of a turning point after Netanyahu remarkably showed what he thinks of his closest allies when they increase the pressure.
An Israeli delegation was actually scheduled to travel to Washington this week. US officials wanted to allay concerns about an Israeli-planned ground offensive in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah – and show alternatives.
Things are happening behind the scenes
But Netanyahu canceled the trip after the UN Security Council, with US help, passed a resolution on Monday that increased international pressure on Israel. Given the past few months, in which the US and presidential tone towards Israel has sharpened considerably, this is a public clash of a new quality. But something has been brewing behind the scenes for a long time.
Netanyahu’s continued demands from the US include more humanitarian aid for Gaza. Or exhortations to finally present a strategy for the administration of the conquered coastal area.
And also concerns about the Rafah offensive, which he has announced several times. Netanyahu’s objections to US wishes are partly shared by the military and the majority of the population in Israel. But what is striking is the strident and confrontational way in which the government leader expresses this. “He is not behaving like an ally,” the Haaretz daily wrote on Tuesday. “His main priority is his political survival.”
Netanyahu negative pressure
Since October 7, Netanyahu has been under enormous domestic political pressure. Under his leadership, the country was unprepared for the Hamas attack and state institutions and security forces were paralyzed in the crucial first hours.
The army’s successes, which were then on track, are evaporating in the Gaza Strip, given that there is no strategy for governing those areas where the army has crushed Hamas combat units – but nothing else is happening.
Disruptive factors in the decision-making process are the right-wing extremist and ultra-religious parties with which Netanyahu’s Likud has governed since the end of 2022. They pursue messianic, unreal goals, such as the Jewish repopulation of Gaza and the expulsion of the Palestinians.
At the same time, Netanyahu is accused in corruption trials. The fall of his coalition government would dangerously tighten the legal noose around his neck.
“Duel” with Biden could help Netanyahu
The sharp confrontation with the most important ally is now a real challenge for Netanyahu. Throughout his long political career, the right-wing politician used populist strategies.
Populists build enemies to fight them as a terror in the media. In Netanyahu’s case, these were weak-kneed leftists who supposedly wanted to divide Jerusalem, moderates and liberals who would hand Israel over to its enemies — and now America, where a left-left establishment wants to prevent him from achieving a “total victory” in the country. Gaza fights for.
Nevertheless, Netanyahu’s poll numbers are in the basement. Fifty-seven percent of voters rated his performance as “poor” or “very poor” and another 14 percent as “mediocre,” according to a survey whose results were published on Tuesday. New elections, which the politician wants to avoid at all costs, would wipe him out of power.
His main goal now is to make the ‘duel’ between him and Biden the center of media attention to divert attention from his political failure, the daily ‘Maariv’ wrote on Tuesday. “He is willing to sacrifice Israel’s relations with the US in favor of a short-lived political media coup.”
Netanyahu’s provocations are dangerous for Biden
The relationship between Netanyahu and Biden, who have known each other for a long time, was not easy even before the Gaza war. For example, Biden publicly rebuked Netanyahu for his much-criticized judicial reforms. Washington also repeatedly found clear words when it came to Israel’s settlement policy.
A visit to the White House after Netanyahu’s re-election in the fall of 2022 never took place. It took a long time for Biden to invite him, but then the Gaza war intervened. It was never said that the two had a particularly good relationship.
For Biden too, the relationship with Netanyahu and Israel has a domestic political dimension in addition to the foreign policy and moral components. The 81-year-old is running for a second term in the presidential elections in November.
Many Muslim and younger, progressive Democrats criticize the president given the many civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip and find his tone towards Netanyahu too mild. Hardly a public appearance goes by without Biden being interrupted by troublemakers over his dealings with Israel.
Balancing act for Biden
The relationship between the US and Israel sometimes seems paradoxical at the moment. On the one hand, there is Biden’s commitment to Israel to support the country unconditionally in the war against Hamas and to ultimately secure the release of all hostages – a commitment that US government officials and Biden himself repeat at every opportunity. The US is Israel’s main protective power, supporting the country with billions of dollars annually, a significant portion of which goes to missile defense and other military technology.
On the other hand, American aid is now flowing in large numbers to the Gaza Strip, where the suffering of the civilian population is worsening every day. Due to the desperate situation of the people in Gaza, the US, Germany and other countries have ordered the drop of humanitarian supplies and the establishment of a sea aid corridor – as their ally Israel continues to limit land aid.
Biden’s struggles in dealing with Netanyahu are currently more visible than ever. As the cracks in their relationship become more apparent, he struggles to convey how firmly he stands with Israel. The question arises as to how long this balancing act will be successful. And what would happen if Israel actually invaded Rafah? Because Biden has defined this as a “red line.” (SDA/mom)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
