The move is a show that the U.S. does hold power over Israel’s actions — but chooses not to act in crucial ways.
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Israel Withdrew Gaza Evacuation Order After Leaked Memo Shows US Urged Restraint
Submitted 2 months ago by BrikoX@lemmy.zip to globalnews@lemmy.zip
Carrolade@lemmy.world 2 months ago
If you click through the link they have for commentators that say the US can’t control Israeli actions, you get to an article that does not say that. It just argues we do not have absolute control, which is a much more modest claim.
There’s degrees to these things. It isn’t a video game where the nation either does everything you say or nothing you say. Instead its more like a work relationship, where say, someone you pay a paycheck to can either do what you ask, not do what you ask and risk the consequences, or not do what you ask and hope you don’t find out. It ultimately depends on a whole lot of different, individual calculations. How much are you paying? What are you requesting? How badly do they want to disobey? How hard is it to find another job? How long can they go just living on their savings? Etc.
In the workforce we see all three results fairly often, and this is really no different.
Anyways, a bit dishonest for misrepresenting the argument it tries to criticize, this article is essentially concocted around a strawman.
BrikoX@lemmy.zip 2 months ago
First, you ignore the basic fact that we know US can do that, because US did that before. Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush put pressure on Israel when they went too far for US to tolerate before, and Israel backed off.
Second, Israel humiliated US multiple times by now, by crossing every single “red-line” US expressed.
Third, the US is going around their own laws and procedures by excluding Israel from their humanitarian conditions attached to weapon sales to every other country.
Fourth, the linked article from Foreign Policy directly says that threats are useless.
Fifth, your analogy makes no sense. US is the primary benefactor of Israel. Based on 2019-2023 data, over 69% of total sales is from US. Second is Germany with 30%, third is Italy with 0.9%. They have no alternative. This doesn’t even include the support from 2024, the latest 22 billion package pending right now and the rockers for iron dome system that costs US taxpayers 33 billions per 10 years, the latest contract lasts until 2028.
All of the above also ignores historical support.
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Carrolade@lemmy.world 2 months ago
I think you misunderstand. I am not saying the US has no influence. No one is saying the US has no influence, only the article you posted says that.
The US has some influence, no question. It’s just about how much? Some influence is between total control and no control.
Regarding threats, well, they have so far demonstrated to be fairly week. It was our actions to withhold bombs over the Rafah invasion that produced the most results.
Lastly, they certainly have alternatives. The current status quo is not the only status quo possible, there are other powers they could align with if they so chose. Additionally, money can be borrowed, as the US is quite well-known for doing these days.
sharkfucker420@lemmy.ml 2 months ago
They could literally just not give them bombs
Carrolade@lemmy.world 2 months ago
That would not actually save Palestinians from starvation. You don’t need 1000lb bombs to commit a genocide.