Washington- Reports of US President Joe Biden’s administration’s refusal to approve Israel’s request to purchase Apache attack helicopters surprised many American commentators, especially in light of the great support that Washington has provided to Israel since the start of Operation “Al-Aqsa Flood” on October 7th. .
As of December 20, Washington has provided more than 230 cargo planes and 20 ships loaded with various types of weapons, ammunition and military equipment to Israel, with the Biden administration pledging to provide support to Israel no matter what it takes.
Reports indicated that Israel submitted its request regarding Apache helicopters weeks ago, a request that was returned and submitted by the Israeli government to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during his visit to Israel earlier this month.
Long war
News of the American refusal came at a time when the Chief of Staff of the Israeli occupation army, Herzi Halevy, suggested yesterday, Tuesday, that the war launched by Israel in the Gaza Strip will continue for several months.
The Biden administration wants Israel to move quickly to the third phase of the aggression, thereby reducing the number of casualties after the number of martyrs exceeded 20,000, in addition to the injury of more than 50,000 others.
In an interview with Tel Aviv Tribune Net, Ambassador David Mack, former US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs, indicated that “the United States has limited quantities of these main aircraft for our armed forces, and in addition, there may be a priority in planning to supply Ukraine with these aircraft for an attack.” Possibly next year.
He added, “Given that the Israeli Air Force is killing Palestinians in Gaza as well as West Bank cities, it is logical for the Biden administration to stop providing offensive weapons. Moreover, we do not want to encourage Israel to open a new front against Lebanon, where Apache planes armed with Hellfire missiles will be an addition.” key to the Israeli arsenal.
Temporary rejection
Although some reports have stated that the US Department of Defense (the Pentagon) has categorically rejected the Israeli request, there are those who say that no decision has been made regarding a final and strict rejection.
For his part, former American diplomat, Wolfgang Pusztai, considered that “if this is the final decision – and the decision has not yet been made according to my information – this is certainly another strong sign that Washington is not satisfied with the way Israel is managing the war, especially with regard to the large number of civilian casualties.
In an interview with Tel Aviv Tribune Net, Postztay indicated, “There will be no immediate impact of this decision on the battlefield in Gaza, because helicopters will certainly not be available to Israel in the coming weeks or months.”
Reports indicate that there are not a sufficient number of pilots to fly Apache helicopters in Israel, which forced the occupation army to call up retired pilots in the 54-55 age group for active service, even though their age is higher than 51 years, which is the traditional maximum for flying this helicopter.
Symbolism of differences
Washington’s refusal to give Israel more Apache helicopters, despite continuing to provide military aid to Israel without stopping since the outbreak of the conflict, represents an indication of Washington’s disagreement with Israel’s continued aggression in the same ways that have continued since the “Al-Aqsa Flood.”
Sources in Washington indicated that the issue of the planes was raised during a meeting between Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, a key advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at the White House yesterday afternoon, Tuesday. Dermer was Israel’s ambassador to the United States from 2013 to 2021.
In an interview with Tel Aviv Tribune Net, David De Roche, a former officer and currently an assistant professor at the Pentagon’s National Defense University, said that he believes that “the Biden administration is trying to persuade the Israelis to take Washington’s request to reduce civilian casualties seriously, especially as it continues to be ignored.” “The Israelis are calling on Washington to reduce the severity of their attacks.”
For his part, Director of the Gulf States Studies Foundation, Giorgio Cafiero, told Tel Aviv Tribune Net that the rejection of “the Biden administration may have come in response to the rejection of broad currents within the Democratic Party and liberal voters who strongly criticize the White House’s strong support for the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza.”
Apache popularity
The Apache attack helicopter has enjoyed great popularity among the military since its first combat appearance in 1986. It is manufactured by Boeing, and its average price is about 52 million dollars.
Reports indicate that Israeli Apache 64-AH attack helicopters participated in direct attacks against Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) fighters using a 30 mm chain gun and Hellfire missiles.
Since the outbreak of the last war in Gaza, Israel has received 2,000 laser-guided Hellfire missiles for use by Israeli Apache helicopters, along with 36,000 rounds of 30 mm ammunition.
Israel has two squadrons of Apache helicopters (48 aircraft), stationed at Ramon Air Base in the Negev Desert. The Israeli Air Force still relies heavily on the most advanced helicopter in the world in its aggression and daily strikes against the Gaza Strip, and against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.