Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is arriving in Washington on Sunday for his first visit since taking office. This visit comes at a time of escalating tensions in U.S.-Israeli relations due to the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip and Israel's insistence on invading the densely populated border city of Rafah. Israeli sources have stated that Gallant's visit, aimed at easing tensions with Washington, focuses on the continuation of the airbridge for American weapons to Israel, discussing the "day after the war," humanitarian aid issues, U.S. commitment to rallying partnerships for the reconstruction of Gaza, and attempts to mediate with Lebanon to end the fighting and Hizbollah's withdrawal from the border.
An Israeli official confirmed that Gallant is bringing a long list of U.S. weapons that Israel wants to acquire, including the urgently sought F-35 and F-15 fighter jets. He will meet with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and other senior American officials. Gallant spoke with Austin last Wednesday, informing his American counterpart that he was coming with a list of specific weapon system requests.
Gallant mentioned to Austin that he would bring along the retired director general of the Ministry of Defense, Eyal Zamir, who is responsible for Israeli arms purchases. He emphasized that he wants senior Pentagon officials to meet with Zamir on the sidelines of the visit to discuss the technical details of the Israeli weapon requests.
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli forces have become increasingly reliant on American-made weapons for the war in Gaza and will rely on them if the conflict escalates with Hizbollah in Lebanon. A senior Israeli official stated that the requests would include not only short-term demands for the war in Gaza but also long-term requests, including the option to purchase more F-35 and F-15 fighter jets, indicating that Tel Aviv wants to expedite the supply process for aircraft and other weapon systems as much as possible.
These Israeli requests come at a time when American arms supplies to Israel are increasingly under scrutiny, as many within the Democratic Party and some within the Biden administration are calling for conditions on the Israeli use of American-made weapons. Israeli officials told Axios that they are concerned about the pace of U.S. arms shipments and that the Pentagon may slow down their delivery.
Gallant will face another challenge in his talks with the Americans regarding the war in the Gaza Strip, particularly concerning the anticipated Israeli attack on Rafah. The Times of Israel reported that the U.S. understands there will be a move in Rafah, but the question is when and how. Americans recognize that it is impossible to end the war without addressing the last Hamas battalions active in the southernmost part of the Strip, and they agree on this with Israel and the Israeli army, but the disagreement lies in the method, not the substance.
Gallant's arrival in Washington comes at a particularly problematic time, following the Canadian government's announcement to cease supplying arms to Israel. Israel fears a tsunami effect if other countries join the boycott, which is why Gallant is seeking to ease tensions with President Biden, unlike Netanyahu, who continues to challenge.
