(JNS.org) In the latest indication of deteriorating relations between Israel and the U.S., the White House instructed the Pentagon to hold a shipment of Hellfire missiles meant for the Israeli Air Force, The Wall Street Journal reported last week. Signaling to Israel that U.S. military assistance is now under drastically closer scrutiny than in the past, White House and State Department approval is now required for every request made by Israel, according to the report. The Obama administration’s decision was reportedly spurred by the recent discovery that the IDF had secured American munitions transfers without the express approval of the White House, by way of military channels.