Netanyahu's (right) angry speech came in response to Ben Gvir's statements (French)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he does not need help in dealing with Tel Aviv's relations with the United States.

This came in a speech during the weekly meeting of the Israeli government, which he posted on his account on the X platform, criticizing the extremist Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, without naming him.

Netanyahu claimed that Israeli parties seek to appease either inside or outside at the expense of Israel's vital interests and national security, as he put it.

Earlier Sunday, Ben Gvir told the Wall Street Journal that he believes that the administration of US President Joe Biden is harming the Israeli war effort. He believed that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump would give Israel a freer hand to eliminate Hamas.

Ben Gvir added, "Instead of (Biden) providing us with full support, he is busy providing humanitarian aid and fuel to Gaza, which goes to Hamas. If Trump were in power, the behavior of the United States would be completely different."

In response, Netanyahu said, “Israel is a sovereign state, and we very much appreciate the support we have received from the Biden administration since the outbreak of the war.” He added that American support was represented in ammunition, international institutions, sending forces to the region, and other things.

Acknowledgment of differences

Netanyahu continued, "This does not mean that there are no differences with the United States, but until today we have been able to overcome them with thoughtful decisions."

He added, "I do not need help to know how to deal with our relations with the United States and the international community, while firmly insisting on our vital interests."

Regarding the decisions that Tel Aviv will take in the future, Netanyahu said, “As a sovereign state fighting for its existence and future, we make our own decisions, even in those cases where there is no agreement with our American friends.”

He added, "We will not end the war without ending all of its goals: eliminating Hamas, returning all our abductees, and ensuring that Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future."

Netanyahu pointed out, "Efforts to release our abductees are continuing all the time. There are many things being said in the media as if we agreed to them, such as regarding the release of terrorists. We simply will not agree to that, without more details."

He considered that the United Nations Relief and Works Organization for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) "is not part of the solution, but rather a major part of the problem."

He concluded his statements by saying, "It is time to begin the process of replacing UNRWA with other bodies that are not involved in supporting terrorism," as he put it.

Since January 26, 18 countries and the European Union have decided to suspend their funding for UNRWA, based on Israel’s allegations that 12 of the agency’s employees participated in the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, on Israeli settlements adjacent to Gaza.

The Western announcements came hours after the International Court of Justice in The Hague announced its rejection of Israel's demands to drop the genocide lawsuit in Gaza brought against it by South Africa, and ruled temporarily to oblige Tel Aviv to take measures to stop the genocide and bring in humanitarian aid.

Source: Al Jazeera + Anatolia