Report: Israeli political circles shocked by Vance criticism of Netanyahu ministers

Sharp criticism by US Vice President JD Vance of ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over their stance on the Iran agreement has caused shock within Israeli political circles, an Israeli newspaper reported on Thursday.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, informed sources in Tel Aviv said political circles in Israel were “in a state of shock” following the US Vice President’s remarks.

The newspaper said the Israeli government had chosen not to respond to Vance’s comments to avoid deepening disagreements with the administration of US President Donald Trump at a time of growing tensions between the two sides over the US-Iran agreement and the Lebanon file.

It added that Vance’s remarks were interpreted as suggesting a possible review of the level of US military support for Israel if public criticism of the Trump administration’s policies continued, raising concerns within Israel’s political establishment.

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Speaking to reporters at the White House earlier on Thursday, Vance strongly criticised members of the Israeli government who had attacked the understanding reached between Washington and Tehran.

He 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. “

Vance went on to say that some members of the Israeli government were criticising both the agreement and President Trump personally.

He said he would say to those government members who are criticising the United States that over the past three months, two-thirds of the defensive weapons protecting Israel “have been built by American hands and paid for by American tax dollars.” 

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