In the early days of September 2024, the IDF geared up for a high-stakes commando operation codenamed "Many Ways." The mission: to destroy a clandestine precision missile factory established by Iran on Syrian territory. While the daring operation plan had cleared every level of command, one crucial hurdle remained – the final green light that would deploy the fighters to their helicopters. However, a significant concern loomed over the decision-makers in Jerusalem before approving the Syrian operation – the potential American reaction.
"As we approached the Syria operation, tensions with the US were at a breaking point," an Israeli source reveals. "Throughout the conflict, the US' primary concern was the possibility of opening a front against Iran and spiraling into a full-scale war. Their watchword was 'stability.' It was evident to me that an attack on the Iranian missile factory at this juncture would not sit well with the American administration. From their viewpoint, it was an absolute non-starter."
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi believed coordinating the operation with the Americans was unavoidable. The mission was set to unfold deep within Syrian territory, and Halevi understood that if complications arose, the Americans would be the sole potential source of assistance. However, Israel's top political echelon had become convinced that if the White House got wind of the operation beforehand, American officials would staunchly oppose it and might even leak its existence to derail it.
"We found ourselves in a catch-22," a political source explains. "We needed their support, yet we presumed that informing them would lead to the operation's cancellation. It presented a serious quandary."
The resolution to this dilemma, mirroring the approach taken throughout the tumultuous Israeli-American relationship during the war, centered on presentation. After consultation between Israel's political and military leadership, it was decided that Halevi would be the one to brief the Americans about the operation. On the receiving end would be his close associate, CENTCOM commander General Michael Kurilla.
The decision to entrust Halevi with this sensitive task was strategic. It stemmed from the perception that the IDF chief was viewed by the White House as a moderate and judicious figure, driven by professional considerations and inclined to avoid escalation with Iran. More crucially, Halevi and Kurilla had developed a strong professional rapport over the course of the war, which had blossomed into a close friendship.
With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's blessing, Halevi held a private meeting with Kurilla. He briefed his American counterpart on the specifics of the Syrian operation and its necessity, allayed concerns about igniting a conflict with Iran, and requested that Kurilla tactfully relay the message to his superiors in Washington.
The approach proved effective. The White House was persuaded not to obstruct the Syrian operation, and the rest, as they say, is history.
However, the relationship was not without its heated debates. "Operation Many Ways" serves as just one example of how Israel and the US navigated their complex relationship throughout the war. On one hand, collaboration between the two nations reached unprecedented levels, with the US offering unequivocal support to Israel, meticulously approving Israeli attack strategies, and senior White House officials personally participating in cabinet meetings and General Staff forums – a level of involvement previously unseen.
On the other hand, Israel-US relations during the conflict were far from smooth sailing. There were instances where Israel executed critical operations without prior notification to the US – such as the assassination of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah – or took actions that directly contradicted the White House's explicit stance, incurring its wrath, as seen with the incursion into Rafah. Heated arguments between the two sides were not uncommon.
Despite these disagreements, some of which delayed military maneuvers, Netanyahu viewed the sustained American support for Israel as an invaluable asset. The Israeli political and security leadership, from the prime minister down, unanimously agreed that without Washington's backing, Israel would be compelled to halt the war before achieving all its objectives.
"We had to tread very carefully in our dealings with them," admits an Israeli source deeply involved in the intricate relationship with Washington.
Only now, as the Biden administration prepares to hand over the reins to the Trump team, are Israeli political and military circles allowing themselves to unveil the behind-the-scenes management of negotiations with Washington.
The full article appear in Israel Hayom's weekend edition.
