Three American and Israeli officials revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prevented Israeli intelligence and security leaders from meeting with American officials and lawmakers several times since the start of the war in Gaza.
The officials stated that Netanyahu appears to be trying to control what American politicians and diplomats hear from Israel at a time when his government is deeply divided over its wartime strategy, and tensions with the United States are increasing, according to Axios.
Additionally, American officials clarified that Netanyahu’s latest campaign to control war-related messages occurred three weeks ago when he barred Mossad directors and Shin Bet intelligence and security agency heads from meeting with Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican from Florida.
Divergent Perspectives
Instead, American officials and some of Netanyahu’s critics in Israel see this as a sign of growing doubts about the credibility, professionalism, and non-political nature of the Israeli intelligence, military, and security establishment, which has differing views on how the prime minister is executing the war.
Leaders of these agencies believe that Israel needs a clearer strategy for post-war Gaza and that there should be some role for the Palestinian Authority once Hamas is defeated.
Meanwhile, some security officials in Israel believe that Netanyahu’s decision-making regarding the war is driven by political considerations, relying on far-right parties that seek to overthrow the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and reoccupy Gaza.
Blocking Many Intelligence Chiefs
American and Israeli officials also said that American officials typically view agency heads as credible, professional, and non-political.
However, in recent months, Netanyahu, who is directly responsible for Mossad and Shin Bet and must approve their meetings with American politicians and officials, has blocked many of them, according to American and Israeli officials.
One Delegation Visited Israel
An Israeli official noted that only one congressional delegation visited Israel since October 7 and held meetings with Mossad and Shin Bet directors, marking a significant decrease from before the war.
An American official explained that Netanyahu’s office prevented several meetings between Shin Bet leaders and officials from the State Department, including Barbara Leaf, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.
It’s worth noting that Netanyahu tried a few months ago to prevent Secretary of State Tony Blinken from meeting with General Herzl Halevi, the Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, according to American and Israeli officials.
The compromise was that Halevi would join a meeting between Blinken and members of the Israeli war cabinet.
Netanyahu’s Ban Partially Effective
One American official said, “There have been several instances of this nature.” And “It was clear to us that Bibi was just trying to prevent the US government from getting information that contradicts his plan.”
The official added that Netanyahu’s ban was only partially effective because there are many relationships between officials in both countries who find ways to overcome it.
