Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday expressed fresh frustration over the Biden administration's military supplies to the Gaza war, as the defense minister arrived in Washington for talks with senior U.S. officials.
Some Israeli media outlets had reported that Defense Minister Yoav Galant's visit, although it was planned in advance, was a “reconciliation” trip aimed at defusing recent tensions with the country's most important ally. Netanyahu's and Biden's administrations have been increasingly at odds over Israel's actions in Gaza, with Netanyahu last week slamming the United States for withholding weapons supplies.
But on Sunday morning, Netanyahu reversed course. In a speech broadcast in Hebrew before the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, he thanked the Biden administration for supporting Israel throughout the eight-month war, but said “weapons supplies have decreased dramatically since four months ago.”
“For weeks we have turned to our American friends, asking them to speed up the shipment. We have done so many times,” Netanyahu said, adding that they had at times tried to work behind closed doors.
“We received various explanations but one thing was not explained: the basic situation has not changed,” he continued, adding that “certain items have arrived sporadically but the bulk of the weapons have remained.”
The Biden administration did not immediately comment on Gallant's remarks, which are likely to steal attention in Washington. The remarks came just days after Netanyahu released a combative English-language video blasting the Biden administration for withholding weapons and ammunition at a time when Israel is “fighting for survival” against Iran and other common enemies.
U.S. officials said at the time that the video was “cryptic” and that it was unclear what Netanyahu was talking about. While the Israeli prime minister complained about “bottlenecks,” the Biden administration insisted it had only delayed one delivery of the 2,000-pound bomb over concerns it would be used in densely populated areas of Gaza.
Many Israelis have been similarly perplexed by the prime minister's decision to openly challenge the White House, which has drawn sharp criticism even from within his own conservative Likud party.
Yuli Edelstein, a Likud member and chairman of the Israeli parliament's foreign affairs and defense committee, said he was “astonished” by the video. He told Israel's “Meet the Press” program on Saturday that differences with the United States should not be dealt with “through video clips.”
Some Israeli political analysts have suggested Netanyahu's actions are an attempt to interfere in US politics and give Donald Trump and the Republican Party ammunition to attack Democrats ahead of the November presidential election, in which Netanyahu is due to address a joint session of Congress next month.
But other experts said Netanyahu's public humiliation was more likely to have to do with Israel's domestic politics, amid growing signs of tension within the most right-wing, religiously conservative and hawkish coalition in Israel's history.
“If we are to find any logic in this completely illogical move, we have to look at all of this from the perspective of Prime Minister Netanyahu, whose ultimate goal is political survival,” said Reuven Hazan, a political science professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
“In the short term, it is pandering to Israeli extremists,” Netanyahu said, adding, “in the long term, it is likely damaging the army, our relationship with the United States and the country.”
Netanyahu defended his actions on Sunday, saying they were based on “many years of experience and the recognition that this measure is essential to resolve the bottleneck” and that he was “prepared to face personal attacks on behalf of the State of Israel.”
He also suggested that public criticism may be bearing fruit.
“Based on what I've heard over the last 24 hours, I hope and believe this issue will be resolved in the near future,” he said.
Sunday's continued verbal spat and Gallant's visit to the U.S. came at a critical juncture: After weeks of escalating tit-for-tat attacks between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah, Israel has signaled it wants to end fighting in Gaza and turn its attention to its northern border with Lebanon.
The Biden administration is seeking a diplomatic solution to avoid an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah. President Biden has also spent time and political capital to support an Israeli proposal for a Gaza ceasefire that would include an exchange of hostages (some of whom are U.S. citizens) and Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has expressed significant reservations about the proposal, and talks have stalled.
Mr. Gallant had received an invitation to Washington from his colleague, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin, according to his office. He was also scheduled to meet with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and other senior U.S. officials.
“The United States is our most important and central ally,” Gallant said shortly before departing. “Our bond is vital, perhaps more important now than ever before,” he added.
Mr. Gallant and Mr. Netanyahu are rivals who, despite jointly leading Israel's military operations, have clashed publicly in recent months, with the Israeli prime minister sharply criticizing the White House while also sparring increasingly publicly with military brass and right-wing coalition partners.
Gaby Sobelman Contributed report.