Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly prevented numerous intelligence and security chiefs from engaging with U.S. officials.
As reported by Axios, this move is seemingly an effort by Netanyahu to regulate the flow of information reaching the United States from Israel, which is currently engaged in war with Hamas in Gaza.
Last month, Israeli intelligence and security agency directors were requested to meet with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) during his visit to Israel. However, Rubio ended up meeting with Netanyahu instead of the officials.
The Truth Voices reached out to Rubio’s office for a statement.
Netanyahu has been facing increasing pressures at home and abroad regarding his approach to the Gaza conflict. Various figures in Israel, including his main political opponent, are pushing for details on Israel’s plans for Gaza once the conflict with Hamas concludes.
Benny Gantz, Netanyahu’s chief political rival and member of the country’s war Cabinet, has warned he will exit the government if Netanyahu does not provide a post-war Gaza strategy by June 8.
President Joe Biden and his administration have expressed concern over an Israel Defense Force operation in Rafah, the last Hamas stronghold in Gaza, due to the potential for significant civilian casualties in the densely populated area. As a result, Biden has paused certain weapons shipments to Israel.
Despite Biden’s public disapproval of the Rafah operation, Netanyahu has pledged to proceed with the campaign, regardless of U.S. support.
