FLASH
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Israel is open to the possibility of striking Iranian energy facilities, culminating in attacks this week on the world's largest natural gas field. Trump said he had asked the Israeli prime minister to avoid such attacks.
“The last 24 hours may have marked perhaps the greatest public rift between the US and Israel since the start of the war.” This is the conclusion of an analysis by the British network Sky News of the public statements of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.
Since the first attacks on February 28, the two countries' militaries have largely operated in close coordination. However, it is clear that at the government level, the war objectives may differ on some key issues, according to Sky News.
Where do Israel and the US disagree?
Ground forces: Netanyahu insisted yesterday that there is a “possibility” of a ground intervention, as operations cannot succeed with airpower alone. Trump declared the same day that he “will not send troops anywhere.” Such a move is likely to displease his “America First” electoral base.
Energy infrastructure: Israel is open to the possibility of striking Iranian energy facilities, culminating in attacks this week on the world's largest natural gas field. Trump said he had asked the Israeli prime minister to avoid such attacks. Netanyahu said yesterday he agreed with the request. According to Sky News, US officials were disappointed when Israel struck Iranian fuel depots earlier in the war.
The broader objectives of the war: Speaking before the House Intelligence Committee, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated yesterday: "The objectives that the president has set are different from the objectives that the Israeli government has set."
"What Israel has done is focus on neutralizing the Iranian leadership. Donald Trump's goal was to neutralize Iran's missile threat and its navy," Gabbard added.
The "Ghost" of Iraq and Afghanistan
Donald Trump fears getting involved in a long and endless war, as failed efforts to rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan have created strong opposition in American public opinion to such undertakings.
The American public also opposes any measure that worsens energy supplies and leads to higher prices. One poll found that 7 in 10 American voters worry that the war will cause prices to rise rapidly. That could spell trouble for Donald Trump's Republicans ahead of this year's midterm elections for Congress.
Furthermore, Israel's geographical position exposes it more directly to the security threat from the Iranian leadership, which has repeatedly threatened the country over the past few decades.
Netanyahu appears ideologically committed to confronting Iran. He has said that his father, Benzion Netanyahu, a prominent conservative historian, repeatedly warned him about the threat from Iran.
Domestic political conditions also push Netanyahu to act more aggressively, as his government is supported by several far-right parties.
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