The president was furious. He had just seen horrifying images of civilians killed in Israeli attacks, including a helpless baby with a severed arm. He immediately demanded to speak to the Israeli prime minister and reprimanded him sternly.
This incident took place in 1982, during the conflict in Lebanon, where Israeli forces were targeting Palestinian fighters. The conversation between President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Menachem Begin on August 12 that year left aides shocked at the usually calm president’s intense reaction.
“It is a holocaust,” Mr. Reagan angrily told Mr. Begin.
In a sharp response, Mr. Begin, who had lost family members to the Nazis, retorted, “Mr. President, I am well aware of what a holocaust is.”
Despite the tense exchange, Mr. Reagan insisted that the attacks must cease. Mr. Begin complied and called back twenty minutes later to confirm the halt in shelling. “I didn’t realize I had that kind of influence,” Mr. Reagan remarked to his aides afterwards.
This was not the only instance where Mr. Reagan used his authority to intervene in Israeli military actions. He employed American military power on multiple occasions to influence Israeli war strategies, delaying or withholding weapons shipments. This historical context is relevant today as President Biden considers similar actions in response to Israeli aggression.
While critics accuse President Biden of betraying an ally by withholding arms, supporters point to the Reagan administration’s actions as a precedent. They argue that if a Republican president could limit arms to enforce his will on Israel, a Democratic president should have the same prerogative.
The comparison to Reagan highlights the evolving dynamics of U.S.-Israel relations since the 1980s. In the past, disagreements between presidents and prime ministers did not significantly harm the strong bond between the two countries. However, Israel’s political standing has shifted, making it a contentious issue like never before.
During Reagan’s tenure, Democrats were perceived as more pro-Israel, a perception he aimed to challenge. He claimed to be the best friend of Israel in the White House, despite facing challenges in the relationship.
In one instance in 1981, Israel’s attack on the Osirak nuclear plant in Iraq using U.S.-made warplanes caused a rift in Washington. Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger urged Reagan to halt arms sales to Israel, while Secretary of State Alexander M. Haig Jr. opposed the idea.
Ultimately, Reagan agreed to condemn Israel at the United Nations Security Council…
2024-05-10 08:44:30
Source from www.nytimes.com