Israel 'internal strife' amid war, Prime Minister blocks road to wait for news from Mr. Biden, Defense Minister has to cancel visit to the US

On October 8, US Department of Defense Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said that Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had canceled his visit to the Pentagon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attend a press conference in Tel Aviv in October 2023. (Source: AFP)

According to Deputy Secretary Singh, Israel canceled a scheduled meeting on October 9 between Mr. Gallant and his US counterpart Lloyd Austin while the Middle Eastern country was debating how to respond to Iran's attack last week.

Under the original plan, if the visit took place, Secretary Gallant would also have met with White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

Washington continues to consult with Israel on possible responses to Tehran, Ms. Singh added.

The Biden administration has tried to steer Israel away from an attack on Iran that would raise the risk of a wider conflict across the region, with the White House chief opposing strikes on Tehran's nuclear and oil facilities.

Earlier, local media reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blocked Minister Gallant's visit to the US.

According to Channel 12, Prime Minister Netanyahu will not allow Defense Minister Gallant to visit the US until he speaks with President Biden. The US leader pledged 10 days ago to speak with the head of the Israeli government.

The two leaders have not spoken to each other for nearly 50 days, amid tensions over Israel's war in the Gaza Strip and its conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the relationship between Netanyahu and Gallant has become more tense since the conflict in the Palestinian territories. Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly considered the option of firing Minister Gallant but has not been able to do so.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/israel-luc-duc-noi-bo-giua-chien-su-thu-tuong-chan-duong-de-doi-tin-ong-biden-bo-truong-quoc-phong-phai-huy-chuyen-tham-my-289387.html