Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Galant is set to meet with senior U.S. foreign policy and defense officials in Washington this coming Sunday for a three-day mission. The discussions will focus on mending the rift caused by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criticisms of Washington regarding delays in U.S. arms supplies, developments in the war in Gaza, and the potential for conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Galant is expected to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and several senior officials at the White House, although the schedule for these meetings has not been confirmed. He aims to ease the rising tensions between the two nations and discuss the future of the war in Gaza, post-military operation policies, arms sales, U.S. policy toward Iran, and tensions on the northern front with Hezbollah.
Several sources indicated that the crisis stemming from Netanyahu's criticisms of Washington will cast a shadow over Galant's visit, particularly concerning Israel's requests for U.S. approval to purchase F-15 jets, as officials from both the Israeli and U.S. sides work to mend the rift caused by Netanyahu’s remarks.
A video in English posted by Netanyahu, criticizing the delays in U.S. arms sales to Israel, provoked outrage at the White House last Tuesday. Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby told reporters on Thursday that "the U.S. administration is disappointed by the Israeli Prime Minister's statements, and the video came as a surprise to the White House," clarifying that the administration expressed frustration concerning the video's content clearly at various levels and through different channels.
Kirby defended the Biden administration’s record in providing military, logistical, and political support to Israel, stating that Netanyahu's video was disturbing and disappointing, containing inaccuracies. Pentagon officials confirmed that the U.S. delivered defensive materials to Israel after Biden suspended a shipment of 2,000-pound highly destructive bombs, noting that Secretary Blinken explained this suspension was due to concerns that Israel might use them in densely populated areas of Gaza.
Netanyahu's statements also raised concerns within Israel and among the Israeli military and security establishment, which were unsettled by his public criticisms of Washington regarding the expedited acquisition of arms, rather than handling matters with tact and calmness. Netanyahu responded on Thursday via the X platform, stating that he is happy to endure personal attacks as long as Israel receives the urgently needed arms supply in what he described as an "existential" war.
