Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to put his own interests above the interests of Israel, according to international newspapers. The British newspaper 'The Guardian' noted that Netanyahu's leadership has created enemies for Israel, emphasizing that this behavior is not new. The paper also pointed out that the Biden administration is hesitant to use its influence to stop the war in the Gaza Strip.
Haaretz newspaper reported that since the October 7 attack, Israeli authorities have significantly reduced the amount of food provided to Palestinian prisoners, to the point of starvation. The far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir described this measure as a deterrent.
The Wall Street Journal discussed Washington’s efforts to avoid a wide-scale war between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah. Despite efforts by US Special Envoy Amos Hockstein, American officials believe that while Hezbollah, Israel, and Iran do not want an all-out war, escalating tensions could spiral out of control.
Michael Rubin, writing for the National Interest, criticized the US strategy in the Red Sea, stating it failed to deter the Ansar Allah Houthis. He attributed this to Washington's lack of creativity, which led to missed opportunities to end the threat posed by the group.
Brad Dress, on The Hill website, suggested that Netanyahu escalated tensions with Joe Biden to exploit the US presidential election campaign. Critics believe Netanyahu prefers former President Donald Trump and deliberately criticized Biden regarding arms shipments to besiege and embarrass him.
A study by Bar-Ilan University, published by the Jerusalem Post, revealed that 72% of Israelis believe internal division in Israeli society before the October 7 attack increased the probability of the attack. The Netanyahu government was identified as the most divisive factor.
In a related development, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, during his visit to Washington, thanked the Biden administration for its support and emphasized that disputes between the countries should be resolved in private. Gallant highlighted the importance of the US-Israel alliance and expressed support for President Biden's hostage deal proposal, urging Hamas to accept it or face consequences.
- Gallant's visit to Washington included meetings with senior officials such as Foreign Minister Lincoln, Defense Minister Austin, and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Gallant stressed that the alliance with the United States is a cornerstone of Israel's national security.
- Gallant reiterated that the war in Gaza is directed against Hamas, not the civilian population, and committed to delivering essential humanitarian aid to Gaza. He underscored Israel's commitment to returning all abductees home without exception.
