To What Extent Have Relations Between ‘Israel’ and the U.S. Deteriorated?

Finally, and in a rare manner, U.S.–Israeli disagreements have bubbled to the surface after mutual accusations resulted in a heated debate over the past three months between the two sides.

The tensions began with the Democratic U.S. administration, following Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of the right-wing Likud party, forming the Israeli government in December 2023.

Current Democratic President Joe Biden is a strong supporter of “Israel,” but the past relations with Netanyahu have been somewhat tense, as the latter burned many bridges with Republican opponents, especially during Donald Trump’s presidency.

The tension also stems from Netanyahu’s attempt to hinder the passage of the 2015 Iranian nuclear agreement when Biden was vice president under Barack Obama’s administration.

 

Public Disagreements

The latest details of the dispute revolved around a firm and private message sent by Biden to Netanyahu amidst the crisis that erupted in “Israel” due to sharp divisions over “judicial amendments.”

According to informed U.S. sources cited by Axios on March 29, 2023, hours after Biden’s message was sent, Netanyahu went on television to announce the suspension of the legislation of the judicial amendments. The White House had urged Netanyahu for months to carry out the judicial amendments within a framework of consensus, and this did not happen.

For the past 12 weeks, tens of thousands of Israelis have been demonstrating against Netanyahu’s government-supported “judicial reform” plan, which includes amendments that limit the powers of the Supreme Court (the highest judicial authority) and give the government the power to appoint judges.

On March 27, amidst massive protests and widespread strikes, Netanyahu announced the suspension of the laws regarding “judicial reform” to allow for dialogue with the opposition, but he said he “would not compromise” on it. The “judicial reform” plan was supposed to be passed during the winter session of the Knesset (parliament), which ends on April 2, 2023.

However, Netanyahu’s decision postponed its discussion until the summer session, which begins on the same day and lasts for three months, according to the Knesset website.

A source from the Axios website revealed that the message from Biden to Netanyahu exposes the increasing tension between the two allied countries and how Biden was closely involved in efforts to persuade the Israeli Prime Minister not to proceed with the law.

Tensions between the United States and “Israel” have increased, following Netanyahu’s dismissal of his right-wing government’s army minister, Yoav Gallant, in late March 2023, due to statements made by the latter regarding the judiciary system reform, which he said represented a “direct threat” to Israeli security.

As soon as the decision to dismiss Gallant was made, the White House entered into intense and urgent consultations among the president’s advisors to decide how to respond to Netanyahu’s move, according to Axios.

On March 29, Biden rejected claims that the U.S. was interfering in Israeli internal affairs during recent protests, saying that “We’re not interfering. They know my position. They know America’s position. They know the American Jewish position.”

In response to questions from journalists at the White House, he said he was concerned about “Israeli democracy,” as were many strong supporters of “Israel.”

When asked if he planned to invite Netanyahu to the United States, Biden said no, “not in the near term,” explaining that he did not speak with him on the phone but rather conveyed his messages through the U.S. Ambassador in Tel Aviv, Thomas R. Nides.

 

Israeli Stance

After these statements, Netanyahu responded by saying that “Israel is a sovereign country which makes its decisions by the will of its people and not based on pressures from abroad, including from the best of friends.”

Netanyahu tweeted: “I have known President Biden for over 40 years, and I appreciate his longstanding commitment to Israel.”

He continued: “He said the Israel–U.S. alliance was unbreakable “and always overcomes the occasional disagreements between us.

“My administration is committed to strengthening democracy by restoring the proper balance between the three branches of government, which we are striving to achieve via a broad consensus.”

In addition to Netanyahu, the Israeli National Security Minister, extremist Itamar Ben-Gvir, responded on March 29 to Biden’s harsh criticisms.

He said: “We appreciate the democratic system there, and for this reason specifically, they need to understand that Israel is an independent state, not another star on the American flag.”

Ben Gvir added to the army radio station: “It must be clear throughout the world that people here went to the elections and have their own desires.”

For his part, Education Minister Yoav Kisch said on the same day that, “We all respect the president of the United States. He can express his stance about any matter related to Israel. But with all due respect, Israel is a sovereign country. Decisions are made here.”

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar wrote on Twitter that it is sad that President Biden has also fallen victim to false news published in “Israel” against our fair judicial reform.”

Zohar later deleted his tweet and wrote instead: “I deleted the tweet out of respect for our important relationship with our greatest ally, the United States,” according to the Arab 48 website.

Knesset Deputy Speaker, Nissim Vaturi, said that “If we need to protect ourselves, we will do so without the U.S. if it doesn’t support us.”

In an interview on 103FM radio on March 29, Vaturi said that the American way in which they choose their Supreme Court justices is “improper” and will not be accepted in “Israel.” Claiming that “[Israel is] probably a bit more democratic than the system [in the U.S.].”

After these consecutive statements, Netanyahu called on his government ministers and close associates to stop talking about the Biden administration.

According to Channel 12 Hebrew news on March 29, Netanyahu called on his Likud ministers and MPs to stop making statements against the American president and to stop media interviews on this matter “out of fear of deteriorating relations and entering into a real crisis.”

According to the Israeli website Walla! on the same day, American officials warned Netanyahu and those close to him not to provoke President Biden. They said that their warning to Netanyahu specifically arises from the fact that Biden defines himself as a Zionist and has red lines as he cannot tolerate what he describes as Israeli democracy being compromised.

 

Extent of Deterioration

The Israeli Opposition and Hebrew media have sounded the alarm bells over the policies of the occupation government, warning of a deterioration in relations with the United States, its foremost and first ally.

The Haaretz newspaper believes that the harsh things Biden said should worry every Israeli, as he made it clear without using polite diplomatic language that he does not intend to invite Netanyahu to the White House anytime soon and that he believes that the Prime Minister is leading “Israel” to disaster.

The newspaper stated on March 29 that “the damage Netanyahu and his pyromaniac government are causing isn’t contained within the state boundaries. Netanyahu has succeeded in bringing relations with America to a deep slump.”

The newspaper added that there could have been compromises and calming formulas with Biden even during the most difficult days of tensions, but there is a real reason for concern, as his message was short and clear regarding the Israeli judicial system.

Officially, the White House speaks of a “compromise” that will emerge from the talks taking place these days at the president’s headquarters, but Biden has made it clear how low the administration’s expectations are for these talks, according to Haaretz.

“Netanyahu is seen, rightly, as one who does not enter negotiations in good faith, trying mainly to play for time and lull the protest movement that has risen up against him. In the absence of a compromise, the Biden administration is interested in scrapping the plan.”

In turn, opposition leader Yair Lapid, on March 29, touched on the tense relations between the Netanyahu government and the Biden administration, saying that “Israel” has been the closest ally of the United States for decades, and the most extremist government in the history of the “state” has ruined that in just three months.

The leader of the National Unity Party and former Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that Biden’s comments are “an urgent wake-up call for the Israeli government.”

Adding that “Damage to our ties with the U.S., our closest friend and our most important ally, is a strategic blow.”

Gantz added that the Prime Minister must instruct his negotiating teams on the judicial legislation to act quickly to save the situation and maintain Israeli democracy, which is the basis of these values.

Washington early warned against the appointment of extremist settlers as ministers in the government, such as Lieberman and Smotrich, due to their policies against the Palestinians, but Netanyahu continued with his plans, starting this rare episode of tension between the two sides.