Washington, D.C (Washington Insider Magazine)— Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was set to fly to Washington on Saturday night to engage in crucial discussions with top American foreign policy and defense officials from Sunday to Tuesday amid a new crisis that erupted between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden.
War and Regional Stability at Stake
Gallant’s meetings will address several critical issues, including the ongoing war and future policy in Gaza, efforts to prevent conflict with Hezbollah, the status of weapons sales, Iran policy, and other regional matters. The balance on both the southern and northern fronts hangs in the balance.
Gallant’s Role as Key Intermediary
With Netanyahu’s strained relations with Biden and the lack of a fully empowered Israeli foreign minister, Gallant has often served as the crucial link between the two nations. This role has become increasingly important following Netanyahu’s recent public criticisms of the Biden administration over delayed weapons sales.
Netanyahu’s Controversial Statements
Earlier this week, Netanyahu accused the Biden administration of stalling weapons shipments, only to later claim he had resolved the issue. This back-and-forth stems from Biden’s statement in May that the U.S. was holding back a shipment of large bombs to prevent their use in an attack on Rafah.
Internal Criticism of Netanyahu
Sources close to Gallant, the IDF and the broader defense establishment, have criticized Netanyahu for exacerbating the weapons crisis instead of managing it discreetly. They argue that the IDF was close to securing Rafah without significantly upsetting the U.S.
Key Meetings and Uncertain Agendas
According to Jpost, Gallant’s exact itinerary in Washington remains unclear due to the ongoing crisis. He met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during his most recent visit in March. He’s expected to meet again with these authorities, Amos Hochstein, the envoy to the Lebanon situation, and CIA Director Bill Burns.
Speculation and Strategic Moves
Some speculate that Netanyahu’s recent statements were a strategic move to claim credit for resolving the weapons issue before Gallant arrived in the U.S. However, the situation remains fluid, with both U.S. and Israeli sources uncertain about the current status of weapons sales, particularly the approval process for Israel to purchase F-15EX aircraft.
Ongoing Disputes and Policy Challenges
The approval process for the F-15EX aircraft has already been delayed twice due to various factors, including Israeli elections and disputes between Gallant and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Additionally, the U.S. and Israel have debated the IDF’s potential invasion of Rafah, considering the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the conditions of U.S. weapons support.
Gallant’s visit to Washington is pivotal in addressing these multifaceted issues and navigating the complex relationship between the U.S. and Israel during this critical period.
