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Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, defiantly stated that Israel could “stand alone” in the face of threats to halt arms shipments from the US. This follows warnings from US President Joe Biden accusing Israel of possible misuse of US munitions in a full-scale invasion of Rafah, a strategic city in Gaza.
US warnings come as concerns rise globally about the potential of heightened civilian casualties. As a result of these concerns, the US already paused one shipment of bombs, causing a rift between the two allies and casting a shadow over their long-established cooperation.
Resistance to US Threats
Netanyahu, unperturbed by Biden’s threat to withhold artillery shells, recalled the Israeli War of Independence, as a testament to the country’s tenacity. According to him, despite having limited resources and an arms embargo, the Israeli spirit led them to victory. Similarly, he believes that with their current resources and spirit they will prevail, even without US support.
Leniency and Solidarity under Scrutiny
While the US decision to delay munitions deliveries was intended to check possible misuse leading to civilian casualties, there have been concerns about the impact of this decision on the operational readiness of the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) and its implication for the lasting bond between the two countries.
Moreover, reports from the Jerusalem Post suggest hesitation on the US side serves Israel’s adversaries rather than deterring further aggression. Critics suggest that providing Hamas with a respite from assault may not only prolong the conflict but also potentially increase the civilian casualties the US hopes to prevent.
Global Perspectives
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera columnist, Belén Fernández, seemingly defends the US’s decision, arguing that while the US has been a major backer of Israel, the potential human disaster in Rafah justifies a change of stance. However, she also criticizes the US for selective morality, questioning why Rafah, in particular, triggered this reaction when the US has long supported Israel’s operations in Gaza.
The criticality of the situation in Rafah exacerbates the controversy. The city is a significant hub in the Hamas tunnel network enabling the group’s operations. However, it is also home to over a million Palestinians who face acute shortages due to the ongoing conflict.
With close observations from global actors and public sentiment divided, the US-Israel tensions lay bare stark realities and the unignorable shift in dynamics in the usually steady alliance.
Information Box:
-Israel faces potential invasion of Rafah city in Gaza
-US threatens to withhold arms shipments if invasion occurs
-Prime Minister Netanyahu asserts Israel’s ability to ‘stand alone’
-Threat of a full-blown assault on Rafah causing global concern, due to potential civilian casualties
-Critics highlight inconsistent US stance
References:
1: BBC News – Gaza war: Netanyahu says Israel can ‘stand alone’ if US halts arms shipments
2: Jerusalem Post: Betrayal of allies: US pauses munitions, while threatening Israel’s security – editorial
3: Al Jazeera: Give or take a few bombs, US complicity in genocide remains ‘ironclad’