Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refrained from directly commenting on Biden’s remarks, but members of his far-right government, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, expressed outrage over the threat of an arms embargo. Ben-Gvir accused Biden of being supportive of Hamas, while Smotrich vowed that Israel would achieve complete victory despite President Biden’s opposition. However, Israeli President Isaac Herzog called for a more measured response, acknowledging Biden as a friend of Israel and urging against irresponsible statements that could harm national security.
Israeli military experts also expressed concern over Biden’s announcement. Kobi Michael from the Institute for National Security Studies questioned Biden’s approach, highlighting the tension between the U.S. and Israel. The U.S. decision to halt a shipment of weapons, including 2,000-pound bombs, was seen as a troubling signal of strained relations. Despite the concerns, the impact of the paused arms transfer on Israel’s military operations in Gaza was largely symbolic, according to experts. However, if future shipments are halted, it could have a more tangible impact on Israel’s operations.
An Israeli official reported deep frustrations within the Israeli government over the Biden administration’s decision to withhold the arms shipment, citing concerns about the use of the weapons in densely populated areas. Biden justified the decision by referencing civilian casualties in Gaza due to the use of such bombs. Although there has been criticism of continued weapons supply to Israel amid the conflict, the U.S. has not been transparent about the volume of munitions sent to Israel. The historical context of previous military aid withholding by the U.S., such as the 1982 ban on cluster weapons sales to Israel, underscores the complexity of this issue.
Overall, the reactions to President Biden’s threat of an arms embargo on Israel are mixed within the country’s political and military circles. While some far-right government officials expressed outrage and vowed to achieve victory despite opposition, others, including the Israeli President, urged for a more measured response. Israeli military experts expressed concerns about the halted arms shipment and the potential implications on military operations in Gaza. The decision was seen as a symbolic move by the U.S., potentially signaling strains in the relationship between the two allies. The broader context of historical military aid withholding by the U.S. serves as a backdrop to the current situation and highlights the complexities of the Israel-U.S. relationship.
