Tension between Tel Aviv and Washington. In what appears to be a response to the decision of the President of the United States, Joe Biden, to suspend the supply of certain types of weapons to Israel, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has republished a video shot in recent days at Yad Vashem in which he had declared that the Jewish state was ready to defend itself even on its own. In the video released on the occasion of a Holocaust commemoration, Netanyahu stated that today Israel is once again faced with enemies who want its destruction. “I say to the leaders of the world, no pressure, no decision by any international forum will prevent Israel from defending itself,” Netanyahu had chanted, underlining that “if Israel is forced to remain alone, Israel will remain alone.” Non-random timing.
Even the Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, raised his voice after the Americans’ decision: «I say to Israel’s enemies and its best friends that the State of Israel cannot be subjugated and neither can the IDF and the Ministry of Defense. Whatever the cost, we will ensure the existence of the State of Israel and we will remember well the directive that we signed only a week ago at the Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony, the words ‘Never Again’. Israel – Gallant reiterated – will remain standing, will achieve its objectives, will strike Hamas, destroy Hezbollah and bring security”.
