It shouldn’t be surprising that President Obama will have another tough conversation with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shortly, as Israeli military has been found obtaining ammunition from the Pentagon on the sly.
In denying this, Ron Dermer, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, said, “The allegations are unfounded. Israel deeply appreciates the support we have received during the recent conflict in Gaza from both the Obama administration and the Congress for Israel’s right to defend itself and for increased funding of Iron Dome.”
Both Netanyahu and Obama have had a difficult relationship throughout and with this attack on Gaza, things seem to have gotten worse considering how their last conversation ended tensely. Given the current situation, Israel wants security assurances in exchange for long-term ceasefire with Palestine even if they have pushed the U.S administration aside.
But that’s not all, the White House’s participation in negotiations in the current Gaza crisis has been nullified, leaving them as bystanders and not mediators as in the past. What is also clear is that U.S-Israel relations are at its lowest ever since Obama took office.
Netanyahu doesn’t seem to be worried about this since he considers the Obama administration to be weak and naive while they, in turn, think he is reckless and untrustworthy.
That said, since he has the full support of the Israeli Congress, he is more than happy to wait for the current administration to complete its term.