The Israeli newspapers Haaretz and Yedioth Ahronoth covered the issue of the United States abstaining from using its veto power against the Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The first newspaper saw that the matter constituted a new failure for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policy, while the second considered that US President Joe Biden, with this act, threw Israel under the wheels of the bus, because the decision only benefits the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

Haaretz said - in its editorial - that Netanyahu added to the list of his “glorious failures” a diplomatic crisis with Israel’s closest allies and protector abroad, which had done its best to stand by its side since the beginning of the war.

Instead of admitting his failure, changing his position on Washington, apologizing to the Israelis for what he brought upon them and resigning, Netanyahu chose to continue denouncing and provoking the Americans, according to Haaretz.

Without the slightest bit of humility, Netanyahu canceled sending a delegation scheduled to Washington, and accused America of abandoning the “steadfast American position” and thus “harming the war effort.” His office accused Washington of undermining efforts to free the hostages and giving the same support to Hamas, in a move that means “ Accusing the Americans of supporting terrorism,” according to Haaretz.

A burden on Israel

The newspaper's editorial noted that the Americans did their best to make clear to Israel that their patience had run out, and they expressed their strong opposition to carrying out a large-scale military operation in Rafah.

But that did not prevent Netanyahu from underestimating the importance of American support. He even boasted, “If necessary, we will do it alone,” as if Israel did not depend on America to provide support, military aid, and the “diplomatic Iron Dome.”

The Haaretz editorial concluded that Netanyahu had become a burden on Israel, exposing it to strategic risks that could cost it dearly, and called on him to resign to give Israel a chance to save itself from the damage he inflicted on it.

More radical measures

As for Yedioth Ahronoth, it blamed Washington, and said that its choice not to use its veto against the Security Council resolution, even without releasing the Israeli detainees, represents a noticeable deterioration in relations between the two countries, and indicates a noticeable shift in the position of the Biden administration, which strongly supported Israel’s right to defense. About itself and its efforts to dismantle Hamas militarily and politically.

The newspaper saw this step as a warning to Israel, threatening to take more radical measures, such as reducing or stopping shipments of weapons and ammunition to it.

She said the United States is ready to take further action, even if it means deviating from established political norms in bilateral relations.

A scandalous move

Yedioth Ahronoth considered that the step taken by the Biden administration severely undermines the struggle of "a Western democratic country against extremist Islamic terrorism."

She believed that the American decision, instead of helping to accelerate the outcome of the war, risks prolonging its duration, and that the main beneficiaries of this transformation are Hamas and other terrorist organizations in Gaza.

However, given the power dynamics between the two countries and Israel's dependence on American aid and support for arms purchases, defense assistance, and continued diplomatic and political support even after the recent decision, Yedioth Ahronoth urged Israel to exercise restraint and avoid acting hastily based on fleeting emotions.

This newspaper concluded that Israel must take advantage of the current situation to launch a military operation in Rafah with the aim of dismantling the four Hamas brigades in the region, or begin a military campaign targeting the remaining Hamas forces in the central Gaza Strip, so that the United States realizes that this equation has two sides, despite the force. The overwhelming and generous aid provided by one party to the other.

Constant stubbornness

Writer Alon Pinkas stressed that no one should be surprised by what happened, saying, “We have written repeatedly since last November that this is what will happen.”

Washington also constantly warned Israel that this was possible, “but Israel ignored the threats, and is now deceptively pretending to be surprised and shocked,” he said.

In his article in Haaretz newspaper, Pinkas stressed that over the past four months, Washington has been reviewing its assessment of Israel negatively during the Netanyahu era.

The writer attributed this to the fact that Netanyahu does not act as an ally, and has accumulated a devastating credibility deficit over the years on many issues and behavioral patterns, in addition to his failure to develop a plan for post-war Gaza, not to mention serious doubts that he is prolonging the war for the sake of his political survival. 

The writer concluded that all this continued stubbornness eventually exhausted Washington's patience.

Source: Haaretz + Yedioth Ahronoth