NEW YORK: As the Israeli prime minister eagerly waits to address the US Congress on the question of American sanctions against Iran, revelations of how Israel bypassed the White House to build weapons stockpiles have come to the surface.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that as diplomatic ties between US President Barack Obama and the Israeli leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, hit the lowest point, Israel’s military continues to reach out to the Pentagon to replenish its weapons.

Once the White House learned of the ongoing military-to-military back channel, the Obama administration halted the request for a large number of Hellfire missiles.

The decision by the White House was tantamount to telling Israel: “The buck stops here. Wait a second … It’s not OK anymore,” a senior Obama administration official told the WSJ.

The revelation underscores the ongoing tension between Obama and Netanyahu, who has secured hawkish allies in Congress, while the White House continues to raise serious concerns over the civilian death toll among Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Published in Dawn February 1st, 2015

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