Netanyahu halts Gallant's US trip to discuss strike on Iran: Axios
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Yoav Gallant's visit, originally set for Wednesday, is intended to focus on US-"Israel" coordination regarding a potential retaliatory strike on Iran.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attend a press conference in Tel Aviv on Oct. 28, 2023. (AFP via Getty Images)
Israeli officials revealed that Security Minister Yoav Gallant postponed his scheduled trip to Washington, DC after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vetoed it at the last moment, Axios reported.
Gallant's visit, originally set for Wednesday, was intended to focus on US-"Israel" coordination regarding a potential retaliatory strike on Iran.
Netanyahu’s decision to block the trip underscores ongoing tension between him and Gallant, whom he has attempted to dismiss twice in the past two years, as per the report.
It also highlights the strained relationship between Netanyahu and the Biden administration.
The report went on to say that Gallant was expected to depart "Israel" on Tuesday night, but he did not receive the necessary cabinet approval.
On Tuesday evening, Israeli officials said, as quoted by Axios, that Netanyahu informed Gallant that his trip would not be approved until Netanyahu holds a phone conversation with Biden and the Israeli security cabinet approves their response to Iran's missile strike. Later that day, Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh reportedly confirmed that "Israel" had informed the US of the postponement of Gallant's visit.
Dive deeper
Israeli officials stated that although Netanyahu had been aware of Gallant's planned trip for a week, he did not follow through with the necessary cabinet approval process.
Following Iran's retaliation against "Israel" last week, Netanyahu has been attempting to arrange a phone call with President Biden, but it has yet to occur, Axios reported citing two sources familiar with the matter.
While Biden has publicly stated several times that he expects to speak with Netanyahu, he mentioned that the call would take place after "Israel" determines its response to the Iranian strike. Israeli officials confirmed that no final decision has been made on what the response will entail.
Netanyahu's Office said "there was no point in Gallant's trip to Washington, DC without an official and clear decision about the nature of the retaliation against Iran." They also stressed that "once a decision is made, the person who needs to discuss it first with the U.S. is Netanyahu and he should do it with President Biden."
Axios, citing a source familiar with the issue, reported that efforts are ongoing to schedule a phone call between Biden and Netanyahu, with the expectation that it will take place in the coming days.
Why it matters
Israeli media repeatedly highlighted the public rift between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Security Minister Yoav Gallant, which has caused significant concern among senior officials within the Israeli security apparatus, including the Israeli occupation forces, the Shin Bet, and the Mossad.
This comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv, as Biden and Netanyahu have not spoken in nearly 50 days in light of growing frustration in the US over the Israeli Prime Minister's handling of the ongoing aggression on Lebanon and Gaza, with concerns about the Israeli government's lack of a clear strategy to put an end to it.
US losing trust in Netanyahu
US officials have been expressing growing distrust in the Israeli occupation over its military and diplomatic actions in light of its aggression on Lebanon and Gaza.
According to four US officials speaking to Axios, the trust deficit has been magnified by the planned attack on Iran which comes in the wake of its own Operation True Promise II, itself a retaliatory strike against the Israeli occupation, which poses significant risks for US forces and interests in the region.
While the US is not opposed to the Israeli occupation attacking Iran, it is pressing for a measured approach. One US official commented, "Our trust of the Israelis is very low right now, and for good reason," as reported by Axios.
In a call last Friday, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan urged Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer to provide "clarity and transparency" on the plans to attack Iran. This request stems from concerns about potential fallout, including Iranian retaliation, which could directly impact US personnel stationed in the region.
According to Axios's Barak Ravid, US officials have stressed that while they would likely support an attack on Iran, the amount of trust it has in "Israel's" decision-making process has decreased exponentially.
The Biden administration has reportedly been caught off guard by several recent Israeli actions. On multiple occasions, Israeli military or intelligence operations were launched without prior consultation or notification. In some cases, US officials were only informed after Israeli jets were already en route for airstrikes.
Read more: US complicit in Israeli crimes, can't be impartial mediator: Iran FM
