Unprecedented Tensions in US-Israel Relations as Netanyahu echoes Menachem Begin’s defiant 1982 rebuke to a young Senator from Delaware

In an unprecedented turn of events, the once covert frustrations between U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have surfaced with marked intensity. Biden’s threat to withhold offensive weapons should Israel defy his “red line” about Rafah reveal a deep-seated strain in the diplomatic relations between these longstanding allies. The latest exchanges, laced with accusations and veiled threats, underscore a dramatic departure from the measured tones usually adopted in public discourse.

U.S. intelligence report sparks fury, with “most senior official” asserting heavy-handed interference in Israeli politics

A “most senior” Israeli official has vehemently accused the United States of attempting to undermine Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. The rebuke came in response to an American intelligence report that casts doubt on the stability of his leadership.

The contentious U.S. intelligence community’s 2024 Annual Threat Assessment pointedly suggested that Netanyahu’s “viability as leader” and the sustainability of his right-wing coalition “may be in jeopardy,” a statement that has sparked outrage within the Israeli political sphere. “We expect our friends to act to overthrow the terror regime of Hamas and not the elected government in Israel,” the unnamed Israeli official stated, emphasizing the expectation of support rather than subversion from a key ally.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported these incendiary remarks, attributing them to “the most senior Israeli political source you can imagine,” a broad hint that the source was none other than Netanyahu. The official defiantly asserted: “Those who elect the prime minister of Israel are the citizens of Israel and no one else,” framing the U.S. intelligence assessment as an unacceptable intrusion into Israel’s sovereign democratic process. The official’s remarks underscore a sentiment of betrayal, perceiving the report as an underhanded attempt to influence Israeli governance.

According to The Times of Israel, the fallout from the report has left Netanyahu “fuming” and poised for “strong, public and dramatic confrontations with the president of the United States.” This stance marks a significant escalation in tensions between Netanyahu and Biden, who have been increasingly at odds over Israel’s handling of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and potential military strategies.

The U.S. report also speculated on the enduring threat posed by Hamas, suggesting that Israel is likely to face armed resistance “for years to come” as it grapples with neutralizing the militants’ extensive tunnel networks. These tunnels facilitate insurgent activities, allowing Hamas fighters to evade Israeli forces and mount surprise attacks. Amid these strategic challenges, the report bleakly noted, “Distrust of Netanyahu’s ability to rule has deepened and broadened across the public,” anticipating significant protests demanding his resignation and the possibility of a more moderate government taking power.

Despite these tensions, Netanyahu expressed gratitude towards Biden and his administration for their support during an AIPAC event, emphasizing Israel’s determination to triumph in the conflict. He outlined the strategic necessity of destroying Hamas battalions in Rafah to prevent a resurgence of the group, framing it as a critical objective for Israel’s security and regional stability.

“I deeply appreciate the support we’ve received from President Biden and the administration, and I hope it will continue,” he acknowledged. “To win this war, we must destroy the remaining Hamas battalions in Rafah. If not, Hamas will regroup, rearm, and reconquer Gaza, and then we’re back to square one. And that’s an intolerable threat that we cannot accept.”

But Netanyahu followed with a not subtle jab at the US President: “We expect our friends to act to overthrow the terror regime of Hamas and not the elected government in Israel,” Netanyahu’s office fired back, in a clear denunciation of perceived U.S. meddling. The prime minister, unequivocally asserting Israel’s sovereignty, declared, “Israel is not a protectorate of the U.S. but an independent and democratic country whose citizens are the ones who elect the government.”

This “most senior official” continued: “The audacity to assess the ‘viability’ of our government is not only misguided but encroaches upon the sacred democratic process of Israel. Israel is not a vassal state. Our strategic decisions are informed by the will of our people and the imperative of our security, not the dictates of foreign powers.”

The tension has been further exacerbated by President Joe Biden’s public opposition to a potential Israeli invasion of Rafah, a strategic city in southern Gaza. Biden’s labeling of this military maneuver as a “red line” — with implications of possible repercussions, including the cessation of offensive arms to Israel as hinted in his Capeheart interview on MSNBC — has put the two leaders on a collision course. Netanyahu, in response, has vowed to pursue his military strategy regardless of U.S. objections, stating, “Israel will win this war no matter what.”

In a striking repetition of history of more than four decades ago, the conflict echoes a historical confrontation from 1982 when then Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin delivered a powerful retort to U.S. pressure, famously stating to the Senate: “I am not a Jew with trembling knees. I am a proud Jew with 3,700 years of civilized history. Nobody came to our aid when we were dying in the gas chambers and ovens. Nobody came to our aid when we were striving to create our country. We paid for it. We fought for it. We died for it. We will stand by our principles. We will defend them. And when necessary, we will die for them again, with or without your aid.” The Senator calling for halting aid to Israel was none other than the then-junior senator from Delaware, Joe Biden.

At AIPAC Netanyahu’s rhetoric was resolute, painting the confrontation with the U.S. as a testament to Israel’s independence and determination. He further intensified his stance, stating, “Israel has always been, and must always remain, the master of its fate and captain of its soul. Our history demands it, our future depends on it, and no friendship, however deep, and no alliance, however strong, can allow us to deviate from this sacred principle.”

This speech mirrored the fervent spirit of Menachem Begin’s rebuke in 1982 to then-Senator Joe Biden, who had threatened to cut off aid to Israel. Begin’s retort, infused with a profound sense of Jewish history and sovereignty, remains a touchstone for Israeli leaders facing international pressures. “Are we a vassal state of yours? Are we a banana republic? Are we youths of 14 who, if they don’t behave properly, you slap on the hands and send to bed without supper? We are a proud people, and we do not bend the knee to anyone but God,” Begin declared, setting a precedent for assertive Israeli leadership that Netanyahu is keen to emulate.

When Biden at one points slammed his fist on a desk, Begin directly took him to task, nothing that desks are for writing, not hitting.

Netanyahu’s confrontation with Biden over the Rafah incursion has unexpectedly turned into a potential political asset, with recent developments within the Israeli political sphere suggesting a possible realignment. The unexpected support from Gideon Saar, who broke away from Benny Gantz’s party to potentially join a new war cabinet led by Netanyahu, indicates a shifting landscape. While Gantz has expressed opposition to Saar’s move, the latter’s defection hints at the possibility of Netanyahu forming a broader right-of-center coalition, sidestepping Gantz altogether.

This realignment, underscored by a noticeable uptick in Netanyahu’s public support according to recent polls, reflects a populace rallying behind their leader’s unwavering stance against external pressures. The possibility of consolidating a stronger, more unified government under Netanyahu’s leadership is seen not just as a tactical win but as a reaffirmation of Israel’s sovereignty and determination to dictate its course, independent of foreign influences.

Netanyahu at AIPAC made a warning: “To those who challenge our resolve, who doubt our determination, let me be clear: Israel’s strength and resilience are not up for debate. We have faced down challenges before and emerged stronger, united by our commitment to our future and our values.”

Netanyahu’s strategic invocation of historical defiance, paralleling Begin’s spirited rebuke to Biden decades ago, serves not just as a defense of current policies but as a powerful narrative tool. It frames his leadership as part of a continuum of Israeli resilience and sovereignty, a perspective that may resonate deeply with the Israeli public and influence the country’s political landscape for years to come. As the situation unfolds, the international community and Israeli citizens alike watch closely, recognizing the implications of these developments for Israel’s future direction both domestically and on the world stage.