Israel ambassador expects Trump to reverse hold on 2,000-pound bombs
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Netanyahu and Trump during a signing ceremony for the Abraham Accords in September 2020. Photo: Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Israel expects President Trump to lift the Biden administration's hold on the supply of 2,000-pound bombs in his first days in office, outgoing Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Mike Herzog told Axios.
Why it matters: President Biden's decision to halt the delivery of one shipment of 2,000-pound bombs last May triggered one of the biggest crises the U.S-Israel relationship has faced during the 15-month war in Gaza.
Zoom in: The hold — which Biden used to protest Israel's invasion of Rafah — became a political symbol much more than a military operational issue, and was used by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to mobilize Republicans against Biden.
- The Biden administration was concerned that Israel's use of the 2,000-pound bombs in densely populated areas of Gaza would cause significant civilian casualties.
- Netanyahu and his loyalists in Israel and the U.S. used Biden's decision to falsely claim there was a U.S. "arms embargo" on Israel.
- Biden's decision also generated significant criticism from the Jewish community in the U.S., which is mostly Democratic leaning.
- On the other hand, the hold did little to diminish progressives' criticism of Biden over his support for Israel.
What they're saying: "We believe that Trump is going to release, at the beginning of his term, the munitions that haven't been released until now by the Biden administration," Herzog told Axios in an interview.
The big picture: The bombs are part of a series of steps the Israeli government expects Trump to take in the coming days and weeks regarding U.S. policy toward Israel and the war in Gaza, Israeli officials say.
- Some of these measures were discussed between Israeli officials and the Trump team in the context of Israel agreeing to make more concessions in order to conclude the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal.
- "The Trump team played a major role. They were resolved to get a deal but were very cognizant of our security concerns. They got some things from the Israeli side that allowed the deal to go through, and they gave us some things and will give more going forward," Herzog said.
- Netanyahu said he got assurances from Trump that if the negotiations over the second phase of the hostage and ceasefire deal fail, the U.S. will support renewed Israeli military action against Hamas in Gaza.
- Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz confirmed that in several interviews in recent days. But in a private meeting with hostage families on Saturday, he stressed that Trump want to see all phases of the Gaza hostage deal being implemented.
- In two weeks, negotiations over the second phase of the hostage deal must begin to help secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza — among them, an American hostage who is still alive.
What to watch: Herzog said he expects that Trump will take steps against the International Criminal Court (ICC) over its decision to issue arrest warrants against Netanyahu and his former minister of defense.
- "I expect the administration will do it through an executive order and maybe take other steps too," Herzog said.
- Trump is also expected to reverse the sanctions the Biden administration imposed on Israeli settlers that were involved in violent attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, Herzog said.
- A Trump administration official said the Israelis asked for this during the transition. "It is important for the Israeli government," the official said.
- Secretary of State designate Marco Rubio said in his confirmation hearing last week that the sanctions will be lifted.
What's next: Herzog said the Netanyahu is expected to visit the White House in the coming weeks.
- "It's under discussion but there is not final date yet," he told Axios.
