US Vice President JD Vance delivered some of the strongest public criticism yet of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, fuelling speculation that cracks are widening between Washington and its closest ally in the Middle East.
Speaking during a White House briefing on Thursday, Vance stressed that while the United States remains committed to Israel’s security, the Netanyahu government must recognise the importance of the peace process and avoid undermining its only major ally.
‘Israel’s Problem Is Not Donald Trump’
In unusually blunt remarks, Vance said President Donald Trump remained Israel’s strongest supporter on the world stage.
“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,” Vance said.
“If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world.”
He further noted that two-thirds of the defensive weapons protecting Israel over the last three months had been manufactured in the United States and funded by American taxpayers.
“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,” Vance said.
Backs Israel’s Right To Defend Itself, But Draws A Line
The vice president reiterated Washington’s support for Israel’s right to self-defence, saying no country could be denied that right.
However, he made clear that Israel, like other parties in the region, must respect ongoing diplomatic efforts.
“Fundamentally, the Israelis, just like everybody else, have to respect this peace process that is fundamentally good for them and good for the entire region,” Vance said.
Vance also appeared to take aim at Israeli military actions that he suggested had jeopardised efforts to reach a broader agreement.
“We seem to be right on the cusp of a major breakthrough in the agreement, and then all of a sudden there’s a major explosion that goes off in a civilian population center in Beirut, and a lot of people who have nothing to do with Hezbollah lose their lives. That’s not acceptable,” he said.
The comments marked one of the clearest signs yet of the Trump administration’s frustration with the Netanyahu government, even as Washington continues to provide military assistance and backs Israel’s right to defend itself.