Navigating the Crossroads: Assessing the Future of America-Israel Relations Amidst Growing Divergences
The divergences that have emerged between Israel and America create various possibilities for the future of their relationship.
Lately, there has been a consistent manipulation of the growing tension between Israel and the United States by both Western and Israeli media. These differences suggest that the two parties are drifting apart due to their respective interests, to the extent that it may eventually compel America to reassess its relationship with Israel.
While the Western media consistently highlighted the strained relationship between America and Israel, as well as the significant differences between the Biden administration and Netanyahu, the Israeli media initially attempted to downplay and emphasize that the deterioration of relations was merely a matter of differing opinions between the two sides.
This assertion aims to set the stage for the upcoming meeting between the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, and the President of the United States, as well as to transform the phone conversation between Biden and Netanyahu into a discussion between their respective foreign ministers.
These conversations were arranged following a prolonged period of strained relations, during which the United States has voiced criticism towards Netanyahu on several matters, including the judicial reform plan, in recent months.
Controversial Judicial Plan Faces Domestic and Foreign Objections
Netanyahu’s cabinet’s endeavors to expedite its plans, particularly the judicial reform plan, have not only sparked widespread protests within Israel but have also garnered objections from allies like the United States.
Several months ago, the relationship between the US and Israel became strained when Netanyahu declined Biden’s request to abandon the judicial reform plan. Biden cautioned Israel against persisting with the implementation of this plan and also criticized Israel for passing the resettlement law concerning Jews in settlements that were illegally evacuated in 2005.
Netanyahu strongly reacted to Biden’s stances, expressing his response through a series of tweets where he stated, “Israel is an independent nation and makes its decisions based on the will of its people, not foreign pressure, even from our closest allies. ”
Netanyahu’s Deceptive Tactics
Tensions between Tel Aviv and Washington have reached a boiling point, leading to the summoning of the Israeli ambassador, Mike Herzog, by the Biden administration. Faced with the fear of further protests and the potential deepening of strained relations with the United States, Prime Minister Netanyahu resorted to a deceptive maneuver of a “temporary withdrawal. “.
Consequently, in response to Biden’s request to halt the judicial reform plan in order to prevent further escalation, Netanyahu, along with Israeli officials like Naftali Bennett, the former prime minister and leader of the Israeli opposition, cautioned that persisting with the plan would risk alienating America. As a result, Netanyahu opted for a temporary withdrawal from his proposed reforms.
From the outset, it became evident that Netanyahu had postponed the judicial reform plan due to public pressure and threats from the United States, but there are no indications of completely abandoning it. As a result, the streets of Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities witnessed a surge of demonstrators as the plan underwent redesign.
Despite Netanyahu’s cabinet making numerous diplomatic efforts to appease White House officials, it is unlikely that Biden’s team will find common ground with this embattled cabinet.
However, the disputes between the United States and Netanyahu’s judicial cabinet extend beyond this particular issue. Other contentious matters, such as settlement construction in the West Bank, are not merely political disputes but rather ideological disagreements.
According to the analysis by the “Washington Post,” the pressures and divergences between the United States and Israel are expected to intensify, particularly due to the right-wing factions’ desire for full control over the West Bank and a robust stance against Iran.
Nevertheless, despite the significant divide between America and Israel, Netanyahu finds himself compelled to maintain a close relationship with Biden. This is primarily because Israel has been grappling with internal unrest and regional isolation for months, necessitating the need for strategic alliances and support.
As the normalization process between Israel and Arab nations came to a halt, the shift in the inclination of Arab countries in the Persian Gulf and West Asia, such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, towards Iran, along with the escalating tensions between Netanyahu and the United States, is not in Israel’s best interest. Despite Tel Aviv’s diplomatic efforts and regular consultations with the White House, the lack of progress in improving relations does not indicate a thawing of ties. Instead, it highlights Tel Aviv’s inability and Netanyahu’s struggle to break free from self-imposed isolation.
Expected scenarios
Given the current situation, analysts have put forth three potential scenarios for the future of the relationship between Biden and Netanyahu:.
Israel needs to rectify its role and regain efficiency in order to align with the expectations of the United States. This could potentially lead to increased involvement of the American government in Israel’s internal politics, with the aim of restoring the previous state of affairs.
To achieve this, it would necessitate a “cabinet reshuffle” and the emergence of a social and political movement in Israel that is backed by the United States, countering the influence of the new religious trend.
The divergence between the United States and Israel is expected to widen, leading to a rise in the influence of religious extremists and internal societal changes in both countries. Consequently, Israel may seek alternative sources of support and protection. It is worth noting that some individuals in both Israel and America are contemplating this option, although it would require a lengthy, gradual, and cautious approach.
The dynamics of these relations will continue to ebb and flow, with various events occurring in Israel and America at both domestic and international levels that can potentially impact them.
According to these experts, Israel is no longer seen as a reliable and effective ally for the United States, as its interests no longer align with those of the White House. The significant gap between the interests of America and Israel cannot be easily bridged.
The disparities between Israel and America are deep-rooted and extend beyond individual decision-makers, encompassing divergent common interests. This matter was highlighted in a report titled “Time for the End of Special Relations with Israel” by “Foreign Policy,” prompting the question of what scenarios lie ahead for American-Israeli relations in the coming days.
