Israeli officials fear rift with US could lead to arms embargo — report

Israeli officials fear that the rift with the White House could lead to an arms embargo and security restrictions, the Israeli newspaper Maariv has reported.

The report said on Thursday that Israeli officials are concerned that if Tel Aviv continues to insist on its current position, the deepening dispute with Washington amid the newly signed US-Iran memorandum of understanding could result in delays in arms shipments, restrictions on military assistance, and the possibility of harsher measures, including an arms embargo.

They said US President Donald Trump’s remarks criticising Israel’s escalation in Lebanon and his personal comments regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were a signal of American pressure being applied behind the scenes, which is expected to intensify following the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran.

Trump has reportedly been exerting pressure on Netanyahu in recent weeks to show flexibility on the northern front as part of his efforts to secure the signing of the deal with Iran.

The officials, according to the newspaper, said the US demands include an Israeli withdrawal from five positions in southern Lebanon, withdrawal from the Syrian Hermon area, and a significant reduction in military escalation that could jeopardise the diplomatic process with Iran.

They argued that Washington will continue its pressure and seek to obtain from Netanyahu a commitment to withdraw.