Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a press conference in Jerusalem, September 2, 2024. Photo courtesy of Chaim Goldberg/Flash90
Defense Minister Yoav Galant has postponed his visit to the United States, citing conditions set by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to reports in Hebrew media.
Mr. Gallant had been invited to Washington, D.C., to meet with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to discuss Israel’s plans for an attack on Iran.
Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly met with Defense Minister Gallant on Tuesday night and told him that he would not approve a trip to Washington at this stage.
Prime Minister Netanyahu told Gallant that he would first meet with US President Joe Biden. The Security Cabinet then had to make a decision regarding Israel’s attack on Iran.
Their conversation took place hours before Mr. Gallant was scheduled to depart for Washington.
The Prime Minister’s Office explained that there was no reason for Gallant’s visit until a formal decision was taken by the cabinet on the planned actions against Iran. After a decision is made, Gallant may discuss the plan with U.S. officials.
The defense minister had received a formal invitation from the Pentagon and was planning a full day visit to the United States. Mr. Gallant was also scheduled to meet with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan for coordination discussions on Iran. These meetings have since been canceled and will be rescheduled.
Ynet and The Jerusalem Post reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu was concerned that the U.S. government would try to coordinate the details of the response without his input and that Gallant would take credit for any operations.
Y-net quoted a “source familiar with the situation” as saying, “There is a cabinet that has to decide on policy regarding Iran.” Mr. Gallant received an invitation from the American side and was unable to arrive before receiving permission from the prime minister. Approved.”
“The prime minister is here, so it’s clear that there will be no decisions made between Austin and Gallant,” the source said. “We all know what the Americans want. And after what Iran has done to us, we don’t have to beg them for permission to attack. It’s not about the event, it’s about the cabinet and the prime minister managing the event.”
The relationship between Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Biden administration has been marked by tension and disagreements since the coalition was formed in early 2023.
Prime Minister Netanyahu and Biden are scheduled to meet later Wednesday, but it will be their first phone conversation in nearly a month and a half. Mr. Biden also postponed inviting Netanyahu for an official visit to Washington for several months after the latter returned to power.
Although the United States’ defense concerns and Israel’s security concerns in the Middle East are largely aligned, the two sides often appear to be at odds over Israel’s actions in the region.
The US was reportedly unhappy with Israel’s decision to kill Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as he sought to pursue a cease-fire agreement. According to a report in the Washington Post, Secretary of Defense Gallant only notified U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin immediately after the bomb was dropped, giving the United States no time to prepare.
Israeli media analysts say the mistrust goes both ways. Prime Minister Netanyahu has reportedly delayed notifying the United States of some recent operations after senior government officials appeared to have warned them about the planned operations, giving Israel’s enemies a chance to prepare. It is reported that
The paper argued that the Biden administration is willing to work with Gallant because it believes he will be more responsive to U.S. interests and concerns. Gallant and Austin have been in frequent contact during the Gaza war.
