US Vice President Vance Criticises Israeli Government Over Iran Deal Opposition
US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday criticised members of the Israeli government, stating that the country is deeply isolated and its leaders have failed to appreciate American diplomatic and military support. The comments widened a rift between the two allies over the interim ceasefire deal reached by the United States and Iran.
Speaking at a White House news briefing, Vance said, "Donald J. Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time." He added that if he were in the Israeli cabinet, he would not attack "the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world."
Vance noted that over the past three months, "two-thirds of the defensive weapons that have protected Israel have been built by American hands and paid for by American tax dollars." He asserted, "The problem for Israel is not Donald J Trump, and anybody in Israel who thinks their biggest problem is the president of the United States needs to wake up and smell the reality of the situation that country is in."
Israel and the United States jointly launched the war against Iran on February 28, coordinating the more than month-long military operation closely. However, disagreements emerged after a preliminary April 8 ceasefire agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed to continue the campaign, while President Trump moved to wind down a war that was unpopular in the US and disruptive to the global economy.
Netanyahu has refrained from openly criticising the ceasefire deal, but some cabinet members have been outspoken. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who leads an ultranationalist party, declared that Israel is not "bound" by Trump's agreement and would not yield to international pressure.
Vance acknowledged that Netanyahu has not publicly criticised Trump but accused unnamed cabinet members of being ungrateful. He said Israel has few friends internationally and relies on US-supplied weapons for protection. Netanyahu's office declined to comment on Vance's statement.
In recent days, Trump has expressed frustration with Netanyahu, claimed credit for Israel's existence, and described the Israeli leader as "crazy." He sidelined Israel during negotiations and criticised Israeli airstrikes in Beirut.
Netanyahu, in his first comments on the newly signed memorandum of understanding, said Israel's military will remain in a zone it occupies in southern Lebanon "as long as Israel's security needs require it." This statement threatened to undermine the deal, which calls for a halt to hostilities and respect for Lebanon's territorial integrity. Netanyahu also emphasised the importance of maintaining the relationship with American allies who "fought shoulder to shoulder with us."
