Daijiworld Media Network – Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Jul 16: A dispute over the continued deployment of US military refuelling aircraft at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport has intensified, with American military officials rejecting alternative relocation sites and seeking to maintain, or even expand, their presence amid rising regional tensions involving Iran.
The issue, initially viewed as resolved after Israel's Transportation Ministry announced that the aircraft would be moved to other locations, has now escalated into a diplomatic matter expected to be taken up by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz.
According to American military sources, the alternative sites proposed by Israeli authorities do not meet the Pentagon's operational and safety requirements. The US argues that keeping the aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport is essential for responding rapidly to potential emergencies, including possible attacks on American military bases in the Persian Gulf.
A senior US military official familiar with the matter reportedly informed Israel's Defence Forces (IDF) that the proposed relocation sites are already congested and would hinder the military's ability to respond quickly during a crisis. The official maintained that the aircraft must remain stationed at Ben Gurion Airport.
The dispute follows disagreements between Israel's Transportation Ministry and the country's security establishment. Transport Minister Miri Regev had called for reducing the number of US aircraft at the airport to minimise disruptions to civilian air traffic during the peak summer travel season.
However, the IDF, backed by Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, opposed shifting the aircraft to Air Force bases in the Negev.
With security concerns escalating over potential threats from Tehran, the US military has reportedly strengthened its demand to retain its operational presence at Ben Gurion Airport, turning what began as a logistical issue into a broader diplomatic challenge requiring intervention at the highest political level.