Daniel Kurtzer, who has served as US ambassador to Israel between 2001 and 2005, published an article in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz: “Israel must surrender to America… now.” This is considering the position of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who was angry about Washington’s allowing the latest Security Council’s resolution to pass demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. This was an intensification of the Israeli government’s “confusing” behaviour against the White House.
The administration of US President Joe Biden provided unprecedented support to Israel, making its military machines with weapons and ammunition available for it without interruption. It also gave continuous political support even amidst the growing opposition in the Democratic Party, in universities, and within the American public opinion.
In exchange for extending the military and political “lifeline” in favour of Israel, the Biden administration expected that Netanyahu’s government would act in a way which would not harm Washington’s interests and its international standing or affect the chances of Biden being re-elected to the presidency. The US President issued statements criticizing Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza, terming them to be more harmful for Israel than its being beneficial. The US administration also launched “appeals” demanding that Tel Aviv mitigate the consequences of its military attacks on civilians and ensure supply of desperately needed humanitarian aid. It also provided advice warning Tel Aviv of growing international isolation, etc.
The Israeli government treated these appeals and “advice” with various forms of disdain and contempt. This prompted Kamala Harris, Biden’s deputy, to warn Israel of the “consequences” if it invaded Rafah, as did Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Democrats in the House of Representatives and the highest-ranking Jewish figure in it. Schumer has directly attacked Netanyahu, considering him a major obstacle to peace. Here it appeared that Israel’s influence is the Congress is greater than the influence of the American presidents themselves. This has embarrassed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) which works as Israel’s massive pressure group in America. It deliberately did not mention Schumer’s name in response to him, and by simply emphasizing Israel’s sovereignty and blaming “Hamas” for the current conflict. As for Netanyahu, he responded by saying: We are not a banana republic!
Although the recent Security Council resolution is no different much in its wording from the American draft resolution, which demands a ceasefire for a limited period and the unconditional release of all hostages. Although the American administration announced more than once that it is not against Israel’s invasion of Rafah, yet it requires the presence of a plan for civilians. Netanyahu escalated the confrontation with Biden and announced the cancellation of the Israeli delegation’s visit to Washington.
Several sources have confirmed that the recent meetings between the Israeli Minister of Defence, Yoav Gallant, and senior officials in the White House did not focus on preventing the planned Israeli military operation in Rafah, and thus reflect a change in Washington’s position, despite the continuing American talk about protecting Palestinian civilians. The two sides agreed on “the necessity of flushing out Hamas from Rafah.”
What this means, until proven otherwise, is that it is the American administration which has complied “now,” and not what was proposed by Washington’s former ambassador to Israel.
[Editorial Al-Quds Al-Arabi]
Compiled and translated by Faizul Haque