Netanyahu defends his government’s relations with US after Ben-Gvir’s criticism

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he does not need help to manage relations with the United States, in an implicit criticism of his far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir.

“I don’t need help to know how to navigate our relations with the US and the international community, while standing firm on our national interests as a sovereign country fighting for its existence and future,” Netanyahu said during a cabinet meeting as cited by Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

“We make our own decisions, even in those cases where there is no agreement with our American friends,” he added.

Ben-Gvir had attacked the administration of US President Joe Biden, accusing it of “harming the war effort” in the Gaza Strip.

“Instead of giving us his full backing, Biden is busy with giving humanitarian aid and fuel [to Gaza], which goes to Hamas,” Ben-Gvir told The Wall Street Journal. “If Trump were in power, the US conduct would be completely different.”

Ben-Gvir said Netanyahu “is at a crossroads,” and that he “has to choose in what direction he’ll go.”

The Israeli premier said his government appreciates the US support for Israel since the launch of the unprecedented Israeli military operation n Gaza.

“This does not mean that we do not have differences of opinion, but until today we have managed to overcome them with determined and considered decisions,” Netanyahu added.

Israel launched its war on Gaza on October 7, and has killed at least 27,365 Palestinians and injured 66,630 others.

The Israeli offensive has left 85% of Gaza’s population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.