Following the preliminary peace agreement between the US and Iran, analysts quickly pointed out that the biggest loser was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to the terms of the agreement, the ceasefire would be in effect on all fronts, including Lebanon. This puts Netanyahu in a difficult position: either withdraw troops and face internal criticism, or try to continue the conflict and risk further damaging relations with the US.
Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire agreement on June 19, but Israel has yet to express any intention to withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon. Therefore, pressure on relations between Washington and Tel Aviv remains.
Difficult relationship
After standing shoulder to shoulder during the early stages of the war, the rift between the US and Israel has become increasingly apparent through recent statements by US leaders.
"If I were a member of the Israeli cabinet, I wouldn't attack the only strong ally I have in the world ," US Vice President JD Vance said at a press conference on June 18, pointing to Israel's dependence on American weapons.
Israeli leaders “need to wake up and recognize the reality of the country's situation,” he added.
Vance's statement was seen as the culmination of pre-existing warning signs. In an interview with the New York Times published the same day, Vance pointed to U.S. missiles protecting Israel and suggested Tel Aviv reduce its activities in Lebanon.
"You are a country of nine million people. You cannot use killing to solve all your national security problems," the US vice president said.
Not only Vance, but even President Trump has repeatedly implied that Israel is acting too harshly. He once admitted that he had called Netanyahu "crazy" for his policy toward Lebanon.
"I told him, 'Bibi, you should be careful, or you'll soon be on your own," the White House occupant recounted.
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US Vice President JD Vance has been sending a "warning" message to Netanyahu in recent days. Photo: Office of the US Vice President. |
On June 14th, Mr. Trump used social media to condemn the Israeli attack on Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. He stated that the attack "should not have happened," noting that the previous Hezbollah attack was "very small and insignificant."
In an exchange with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France on June 16, Trump even called Israel's retaliatory actions "too much."
“You don’t need to demolish an apartment every time you’re looking for someone. There are many people living in these apartments, and not all of them are Hezbollah,” Trump said. “Without the United States, Israel would no longer exist. Israel would have been blown off the face of the earth, 100%. Every intelligent person in Israel understands that.”
Even U.S. intelligence agencies are expressing concern about the prospect of Israel attempting to undermine Washington's policies. The Washington Post reported on June 19th that U.S. intelligence agencies had warned the Trump administration about the possibility that Prime Minister Netanyahu might seek to sabotage peace efforts between the U.S. and Iran.
According to US intelligence, Netanyahu's political future ahead of the general election later this year will depend on whether he can demonstrate to the people that he will not withdraw troops from Lebanon. If Israel is forced to withdraw its troops from Lebanon, Netanyahu will be seen as having failed.
For their part, US officials insist the agreement's terms will not prevent Israel from retaliating against Hezbollah if attacked. However, the US does not want the fighting in Lebanon to continue.
“The continued occupation of parts of Lebanon by Israel would be a recipe for disaster,” a senior U.S. official told the Washington Post . “Unless Israel withdraws completely, renewed fighting with Hezbollah is certain.”
Israeli resentment
Part of the reason for the rift between the US and Israel is the immense internal pressure Netanyahu is facing. To the Israeli people, the recent agreement between the US and Iran seems like a huge mistake and a surrender.
“We have been betrayed by President Trump,” Avi Perez, a resident of Rehovot in Israel, told the Guardian .
According to Israelis, the agreement will affect the country's ability to deal with Hezbollah, which is considered a direct threat to Israel.
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Smoke rises after an Israeli attack on Lebanon on June 19. Photo: Reuters. |
"Israelis believe the war in Lebanon is a just war," assessed Udi Tenne, an Israeli strategy expert. "In Israel, everyone considers Iran and Hezbollah to be the same."
According to a May survey by the Israel Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), 70% of Israeli Jews support intensifying the military campaign against Hezbollah.
Israelis are also unhappy with the attitude of the US and President Trump towards their country in recent weeks. They feel that after a period of close cooperation, the US is gradually abandoning its ally.
The hawks in Israel continue to take a hardline stance. "For every tear shed by an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers will shed tears," Italian National Security Minister Ben Gvir wrote on social media on June 19th.
In reality, Israel's objectives in the war differed from those of the United States. Israel's investment was significantly higher: eliminating Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile threat, and destroying Tehran's regional network.
Tel Aviv wants to achieve the best possible outcome, taking advantage of the rare opportunity when another country is willing to join its regional conflicts. Meanwhile, the US believes it is time to end the war.
Furthermore, support within the United States—both in public opinion and in political circles—is declining. Even within the Republican Party, several influential figures are now criticizing Israel.
According to former Israeli intelligence analyst Danny Citrinowicz, Netanyahu is at risk of a serious conflict with Trump.
"Bibi's (Nemante's nickname) situation is very difficult," Citrinowicz said. "He is watching his biggest rival – the Iranian regime – grow stronger thanks to the US, and he can't do anything about it."
Source: https://znews.vn/my-va-israel-cang-them-ran-nut-post1661906.html
