BTW: as an American Jew I know more than a few Jewish folks who are very angry at the Jewish gover’s response, I don’t think we are anti-semit.
Art
I didn't call you an antisemite. Still, believing in propaganda created by antisemites does none any good.
US administration clearly feel the pressure internally (especially from some Democrat constituents) and Internationaly even from its closest allies. The way of Israel conducting operation in Gaza has rattled even some of its closest allies. However Biden Administration decision on giving more weapon to Israel as usual give conflicting massages from US on Israel-Palestinian standing.
During election season there is always some greater than usual dissonance between public policy and practical policy. That is, difference between what's said and done. The hard-left camp is substantial so when it comes to elections, it would be unwise to dismiss them. Morally that's a different story but still. To appease them, he must show "muscle" against the US's traditional allies and appease some of its traditional enemies.
For example the slowdown of aid to Ukraine and widely reported limitations on Ukrainian strike options. It was common knowledge the US has limited Ukraine from striking deep in Russia with American-made weapons from the start of this war, but recently it's much more publicized plus a new demand to avoid targeting Russia's economical and industrial assets - chiefly its refineries. Yet Biden's personal acknowledgement of the need to support Ukraine hasn't really changed. So it's a political game.
Similarly in Israel. For the Progressive (regressive) crowd, Israel-Palestine, and radical Islam in general, are burning topics.
Biden perhaps assumes the US can attack Israel politically with no repercussions and it is at least somewhat true as the Israeli public more or less dumps the whole responsibility for the supposed deterioration of relations on Netanyahu and co, but when it comes to actual material support - the US cannot afford to stop it.
Halting support for Ukraine can be explained in some way that the US has already provided a lot and exhausted much of its short term capabilities, plus the EU having to step in in a greater capacity for a multitude of reasons. But halting support for Israel would effectively signal to all the US's allies that they can be abandoned at a whim. This is particularly important for countries like Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Philippines and Australia vs China, Saudi Arabia and UAE vs Iran, baltics and nords vs Russia, and of course any west-aligned nations in Africa.
Although there isn't a single member of the current government I can support or even deem competent, I am confident that this is truly their assessment of the situation, as it is also mine:
Energy Minister Eli Cohen made remarks about US intervention in the Middle East, stating "The only change I see in the Americans' stance is because of the upcoming elections in the United States."
www.jpost.com
Benny Gantz, member of war cabinet, leader of the largest party and coalition partner due to the war, has demanded elections be set to September. Unlike other opposition figures, Gantz has serious weight and together with the coalition's defense minister Yoav Gallant - they may be able to pull some critical coalition support to achieve an early election. In Israel, once the coalition lacks a 61-59 seat majority, for any reason, an early election may be called. As explained in another thread, there is also instability stemming from a recent court decision to immediately draft all eligible ultra orthodox Jews and halt some key government subsidies for them.
One possible scenario is an ultra orthodox camp support for a new election in order to gain favor with the secular public and partnering with Gantz to achieve a relaxed conscription law and renewal of some subsidies.
Netanyahu dismisses coalition partner's appeal as 'petty politics,' claiming elections would harm the war effort, while opposition head Lapid says Israel can't wait six months
www.timesofisrael.com
After Iran promised retaliation for the assassination of several high ranking figures, Israel decided to mobilize reserves to beef up its air defenses.
Previously, when Qasem Soleimani was assassinated Iran retaliated strongly. They shot down their own plane, full of passengers, but it was retaliation nonetheless. With Iran's array of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as armed drones, they can attempt to overwhelm Israeli air defenses, sneak a missile to a sensitive site as they did in Eilat, or attack American or Kurdish targets closer to them. But I estimate Iran will avoid showing muscle and prefer to attack less defended assets like embassies and diplomatic missions in Europe and/or South America.
Speculation suggests Iran could attack Israel from its own territory rather than through proxies, sparking wider hostilities; Gallant says IDF prepared for every scenario
www.timesofisrael.com