What is cracking in Biden-Netanyahu friendship?
Last Updated on March 26, 2024 11:24 am
The United States has been Israel’s closest friend for ages. The country is acting as Israel’s shield everywhere from the battlefield to world diplomacy. In one sentence, it is possible to say the thought in the throat. A look at the ongoing Israel-Hamas war proves this. The United States has had no shortage of support for Israel in the war. Since the beginning of the war, the United States has repeatedly stood by Israel by blocking cease-fire proposals in international forums such as the United Nations with advanced weapons and ammunition-laden aircraft. However, this strong friendship has seen little by little cracks.
Because of the crack in the friendship of the two countries?
The US has already expressed concern about the way civilians are dying in Gaza. But the United States has always sided with Israel on the Gaza conflict at the United Nations. Before this, the Security Council has proposed a cease-fire in Gaza. But the US vetoed it. But on Monday, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian-besieged Gaza, with the United States not participating in the vote.
It is known that this proposal was raised by 10 temporary members of the council. Four permanent members, the UK, France, Russia and China, and 10 non-permanent members voted in favor of the proposal. So, like this time, the ceasefire proposal in Gaza has seen the light of day. In addition to the cease-fire, it also called for the release of all Israelis held by Hamas in Gaza.
After the attack by Hamas, US President Joe Biden visited Israel and promised to stand by the country
According to information, Israel could not be happy with such a decision of the Biden administration. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed strong anger against this.
Meanwhile, Tel Aviv has canceled the visit of an Israeli delegation to Washington. Senior Israeli leaders were due to travel to the United States next week to discuss the military operation in the Gaza city of Rafah.
The US has long objected to Israel’s proposed operation in the town of Rafah. But Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is adamant about the operation.
Analysts say that if Netanyahu finally ignores US objections and goes ahead with the operation in Rafah, it could damage the friendly relations between the two countries. It may even result in the US suspending arms aid to Israel.
In the meantime, the Biden administration decided not to object to the Gaza ceasefire proposal in the Security Council.
When did the friendship between the two countries begin?
Friendship started in 1948. After the establishment of Israel on May 18 of that year, former US President Harry S. Truman first recognized Israel as an independent state. Diplomatic relations were established when US Ambassador James Grover MacDonald presented his credentials on 28 March 1949. Since then, Israel has gradually become, and remains, the most reliable partner of the United States. Washington became Israel’s largest donor of military aid. However, although the relationship did not improve at that time, the relationship deepened later. The relationship began to flourish especially after the 1967 war.
A resolution to provide financial aid to Israel has been defeated in the US House of Representatives.
In that war, Israel won against the Arab states (Egypt, Syria and Jordan). In the war, Israel defeated the Arabs in six days without any American military support. After Israel’s victory, it occupied parts of Syria and Egypt. Then occupied some areas of Palestine. From then on, the United States began to support Israel unequivocally. The relationship becomes quite intense. Since 1973, it has started to openly support Israel. The United States is closely bound by historical and cultural ties as well as mutual interests. Basically, the interests of the United States were also involved in this. The United States chose this path to counter the hostile behavior of the Arab countries. Even US presidents and diplomats at the time realized that Israel could be an effective weapon in reducing the influence of the Soviet Union in the Middle East.
Initially, the US sold most of its weapons to the Israelis. It also allowed them to borrow from US banks to support their development efforts. In the 1980s and 1990s, the United States and Israel began collaborating on weapons research, development, and production. US aid has helped build Israeli weapons capabilities. Under a memorandum signed in 2019, Israel receives $3.8 billion in military aid from the United States each year. This is about 16 percent of Israel’s total military budget in 2022. In addition to financial assistance, the United States participates in high-level exchanges with Israel to include joint military exercises, military research, and weapons development.
The United States is Israel’s largest single trading partner. The top five US exports to Israel are diamonds, machinery, agricultural products, aircraft, and optics and medical equipment. The top five US imports from Israel are diamonds, pharmaceuticals, machinery, optical and medical devices, and agricultural products. US direct investment in Israel is mainly in the manufacturing sector. The United States and Israel signed a free trade agreement in 1985 to expand trade and investment between the two countries. The two countries set up a joint economic development group every year to discuss the economic situation of both countries and possible economic reforms for the coming year to facilitate economic cooperation.
Why Biden is now pro-Gaza
Israel started the war in Gaza last October. More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed so far in this attack. Millions of people have lost their homes. Biden is now under pressure in his own country due to his continued support for Israel, which recently carried out atrocities in Gaza. This Democrat leader is running for the second time in the US presidential election to be held in November. He is afraid of losing the votes of Muslim Americans on the issue of Israel.
In addition, there is tension between Israel and the United States over the operation in Rafah. Issues such as stopping military aid have come up if Israel goes ahead with the operation in Rafah, ignoring US pressure. Therefore, the Biden administration has been looking for an alternative to the Israeli operation in Rafah for several days. US officials have burned a lot of wood for that. However, Israel’s postponement of the meeting hit a new snag in that effort.
The US sent an aircraft carrier to Israel’s coast shortly after the Hamas-Israel conflict began. file image
The US sent an aircraft carrier to Israel’s coast shortly after the Hamas-Israel conflict began. file image
US officials say the Biden administration is shocked by Israel’s decision. They consider this to be an exaggeration by the Israelis.
Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East negotiator for US Republican and Democratic administrations, said there would be a breach of trust between the Biden administration and Netanyahu. If this crisis is not handled well, the situation may worsen.