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| US Vice President JD Vance - Photo by Reuters |
WASHINGTON DC — US Vice President JD Vance has strongly criticized Israeli officials who opposed the recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the United States and Iran. Vance reminded Tel Aviv that Washington remains its only powerful global ally, emphasizing that a significant portion of Israel's military defense is funded by American taxpayers.
Speaking at the White House, Vance urged members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet to acknowledge the geopolitical reality, amid growing friction between Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump.
"Donald J. Trump is currently the only world leader who sympathizes with Israel, and he happens to lead the world's superpower," Vance told reporters. "If I were a member of the Israeli cabinet, I would refrain from attacking the only strong ally my country has left in the world."
Key Points of the Statement
While Vance commended Prime Minister Netanyahu for not issuing personal criticisms, he explicitly highlighted the scale of US military assistance to Israel over recent months:
- Defense Funding: Vance noted that over the past three months, two-thirds of the defense weapons protecting Israel were manufactured in the US and funded by American taxpayers.
- Geopolitical Reality: He stated that Israel's primary challenge is not President Trump, advising Israeli officials to reassess their nation's actual security position.
Context of the US-Iran MoU
The dispute stems from an agreement signed between the US and Iran, which establishes a 60-day ceasefire and lifts certain US blockades. This allows Iran to reintegrate into the global economy, provided it complies with the agreed terms.
The deal has faced intense backlash from Israeli officials, US Republican lawmakers, and conservative figures in Washington, who argue that the Trump administration made a mistake in signing the accord.
In an interview with The New York Times, Vice President Vance specifically named Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as vocal opponents of the deal, questioning their alternative strategies.
"What is your actual proposal?" Vance questioned during the interview. "You are a nation of nine million people. You cannot resolve every national security issue solely through military force."
