What will the new Israeli government do about the Iranian threat?

By Arie Egozi

NATO is working with the United States in trying to figure out what to expect from the new Israeli "full right" government regarding some major issues that are critical to the situation in the Middle East. One major concern results from different signs that the new government is more serious about a possible attack on the Iranian nuclear sites.

The embassies of NATO members states in Israel are discussing the issue with many people who are considered to have information on the expected Israeli policy but so far according to sources there are more questions than answers.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to visit Israel at the end of January in another US attempt to understand what Washington should expect from the Israeli government.

The situation that was created by the new Israeli government has become more complicated due the new defence relations between Russia and Iran.

At this point according to Israeli sources, there are many question marks as the composition of the new government creates a very “fluid” situation as related to some issues that the U.S. see as having potential for trouble.

As to add to the uncertainty that stems fast-changingng situation, Israel has not decided on how to act in a situation in which Moscow is acting to enhance its relations with Iran, as one way of getting advanced weapons like more armed UAVs and ballistic missiles and sell SU-35 that were intended to be exported to Egypt, to Iran.

Israel is closely following the new defence relations between Russia and Iran and how they may affect the Israeli massive effort to diminish Teheran’s attempt to establish a much more diversified effective military presence in Syria and Lebanon.

The fast-changing situation in the Middle East and the policy of the “full right” Israeli new government, cause serious concerns in Washington.

The US has urged Israel to help Ukraine by sending advanced air defence systems. So far Israeli has refused. Some days ago the Israeli new foreign minister Eli Cohen stated that Israel should not show even verbal support to Ukraine.

The new “Full right” Israeli government causes concerns in Washington, as all signs are that it is making an across-the-board effort to act fully opposite to the way the previous government acted.

The first public sign of the concern is the planned visit in Israel of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to Israel in the middle of January for discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about his government’s policies.

The U.S. embassy in Jerusalem was unwilling to comment on Sullivan’s visit.

Brig. General (Ret.) Amos Gilad said that some actions of the new Israeli government may create friction with the USif it makes changes in some issues that are included in the status quo.

“The defence relations will not be affected but other issues may be affected if the new government acts against the way Washington sees the situation”

Gilead served in many high-ranking positions in the Israeli defence forces (IDF), among them as Head of the Military Intelligence Research Division and Responsible for the Overall National Intelligence Assessment.

While Washington is trying to better asses what to expect from the new Israeli government based on the strange “dual ministers” situation in the Israeli ministry of defence and the statement of the new foreign minister one major concern looms over the region – how will the new “honeymoon” between Russia and Iran affect the Israeli defence interests.

 

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