Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vetoed Defence Minister Yoav Gallant’s planned visit to the United States, which was announced earlier today. Netanyahu reportedly did not want to share details of Israel’s planned retaliatory attack on Iran with the US, fearing that advance disclosure might prompt objections from Washington. Israel has increasingly adopted this approach, having found that last-minute briefings minimize potential diplomatic complications. Israeli officials are confident that the US will defend Israel regardless of its actions.
Gallant was scheduled to meet with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin today during a one-day visit to discuss the response to a recent Iranian missile attack. However, Gallant announced late last night that he was postponing the trip after meeting with Netanyahu.
Israeli media reports suggest that during their meeting, Netanyahu expressed his desire to first speak with US President Joe Biden and opposed Gallant’s visit to Washington before such a conversation. Netanyahu also asked Gallant to delay his trip until after Israel’s security cabinet had approved Tel Aviv’s response to Iran.
WSJ: Israel withholds retaliation details from the US
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), US officials have stated that Israel has so far refused to share specifics of its planned retaliation against Tehran with the Biden administration.
The report notes growing frustration in Washington, as US officials have repeatedly been caught off guard by Israeli military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. It was hoped that Gallant’s planned meeting with Austin would provide more insight into Israel’s strategy concerning Iran.
US officials have indicated that they still do not know the timing of the planned strike or the specific targets Israel may pursue.
The Nasrallah assassination: Israel acts without US notice
The WSJ report also cited the recent assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as an example of Israel acting without notifying the US. According to US officials, when Gallant informed Austin of the strike during a phone call, Austin reportedly responded, “Excuse me, what did you say?” In a second call later that same day, Austin asked Gallant whether Israel was prepared to “go it alone” in its defense. Defense officials said Austin was frustrated because the US had not had enough time to reposition its forces to either assist Israel or protect US troops in the region.
The report suggests that some in Washington hope Israel will provide advance notice of any significant actions against Iran, although it is unclear whether Israel has given any assurances to that effect. Officials pointed only to ongoing meetings between senior Israeli and US officials.
Netanyahu and Biden to hold phone call
Following Gallant’s postponed visit, reports indicate that Netanyahu and Biden are scheduled to speak by phone today.
According to three US officials who spoke to Axios, Israeli plans for retaliatory strikes on Iran will be discussed during the call. This will be the first conversation between Biden and Netanyahu in two months, following a period of heightened tension between the two leaders.
Citing two Israeli officials, Axios reported that Netanyahu held a meeting last night with senior ministers and leaders of Israel’s military and intelligence services to finalize decisions on the scope and timing of retaliatory actions against Iran. The response is expected to include a combination of airstrikes targeting military sites in Iran, and possibly assassination operations similar to the recent killing of Hamas leader Ismail Heniyye in Tehran. Israel is also considering strikes on Iranian oil infrastructure, though Biden has reportedly signaled his opposition to such actions.
A Netanyahu aide told Axios that the prime minister would inform Biden once a final decision had been made.
US wants to shape Israel’s response
“We want to use this [Biden-Netanyahu] meeting to shape the limits of Israel’s retaliation,” a US official told Axios. The official added that Washington aims to ensure Israel’s response is not disproportionate.
Israel’s decision to withhold advance information from the US is a calculated one. Netanyahu appears to believe that last-minute briefings will help avoid American objections. Confident that the US will defend Israel regardless of its actions, Israel feels less compelled to share detailed plans ahead of time.
