Most observers of the U.S.-Israel relationship have known or assumed for years that these friends and allies were constantly monitoring the actions, behavior, and conduct of each other. In the real world, even some of a nation’s strongest global supporters—to say nothing of their adversaries or wafflers—use a wide-range of intelligence mechanisms to infiltrate each other’s operations. U.S. allies the world over have always kept close “unofficial” tabs on the America’s friends and vica versa. This is a precaution taken especially to monitor dissident elements within a foreign government’s governing authority. There is a consistent need to be able to corroborate what was known officially and/or even in the public domain with what might be the real thinking of various players in a given country.
Generally speaking, this is standard operating procedure, and no feathers usually get especially ruffled. At this moment the clear tension between American and Israeli decisions-makers is running very high. The media, consequently, is running with a story seeking to further chastise forces within the Government of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for seeking to influence attitudes of Members of Congress concerning Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza.
In reality it is not the so-called “targeting of key U.S. lawmakers” but the underlying tension that generated this story which likely would have been totally ignored in a different time. The key question is that this is only a further manifestation as to the extent to which relations at multiple levels have deteriorated between the United States and Israel.
It clearly appears that Netanyahu has pushed President Biden to the breaking point. As is becoming obvious in public news in Israel, the IDF is ready to withdraw all its forces from Gaza—to fight Hamas, if necessary, another day. The Israel war cabinet appears ready to dissolve if Netanyahu does not unequivocally accept a proposal that President Biden has advanced (allegedly pre-cleared originally by the Israelis) to make the return of the remaining hostages the priority. At the same time, Netanyahu’s extreme right wing political factions once again have announced that they are prepared to take down this Government if Netanyahu agrees to a ceasefire. Looming in the background together with prospects of new elections, is Bibi’s genuine fear that could bring him face to face with court decisions against him.
Netanyahu’s acceptance of an invitation from House Speaker Mike Johnson--together with a reluctant Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer--to address a joint session of Congress was only another example of the current tension in the U.S.-Israel relationship. Bibi’s willingness to flaunt what should be his over-whelming appreciation for President Biden’s support and jump on-board a Republican led invitation reflects a level of ingratitude that is appalling. Not only did Biden fly to Israel during the very outset of the war, but he demonstrated virtually unflagging support and efforts to resupply Israel immediately with all the weapons it required to sustain its war effort—despite incurring serious political costs. To travel to the United States without receiving a formal White House meeting is an outrageous affront to the Biden Administration.
Finally, as are the Israelis, the U.S. does not want an expansion of the Israel-Hezbollah confrontation in the north, especially as it might well push Iran to further energize its proxies.
While Iran deals with the election of a new president and reportedly seeks to complete development of nuclear warheads, Washington is not interested in any regional escalation. Nevertheless, the Netanyahu Government has responded disdainfully to requests from the nearly 60,000 resident civilians who were evacuated from the Northern Israel, as to when the IDF will be prepared to secure the region to enable them to return home.
Meeting with Western leaders informally while commemorating the D-Day invasion this week, President Biden will hear much from many of the European heads of state about not only Ukraine but the Middle East as well. During his follow-up state visit with President Macron, Biden will undoubtedly receive more frustrating messages from the French Government. Biden will seek to reassure America’s allies that his second term will provide Europe with much more security and stability than a second Trump Administration. President Biden, however, is unlikely to return with much encouragement for his efforts during the Israel-Hamas War other than their interest in bringing it to a rapid conclusion.
It is in this context that the Israeli effort to influence American legislators must be addressed. The bi-lateral relationship is increasingly tense and the distrust between both sides has never been more apparent. If an end to the war with Hamas is not achieved soon, even President Biden’s patience may be exhausted.
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