Netanyahu Criticizes U.S. Over Delayed Arms Shipments
In a recent cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his dissatisfaction with the American administration over delays in arms shipments to Israel. According to Netanyahu, there has been a significant decrease in the supply of weapons from the United States over the past four months. Despite repeated requests to expedite these shipments, the situation has not improved.
Netanyahu stated, "For weeks we have been asking our American friends to speed up the shipments. We did it time and time again. We did it at all levels, and in rooms. We got all kinds of explanations, but we didn't get one thing: the basic situation hasn't changed. Certain items arrived in trickles, but the great mass of armaments remained behind."
Public Criticism and Diplomatic Tensions
Due to the lack of progress, Netanyahu decided to publicly address the issue through a video in which he criticized the Biden administration. This move, he explained, was based on his years of experience and was essential to "pull the plug." He acknowledged that his actions might lead to personal attacks, similar to those he faced when opposing the nuclear agreement with Iran and the establishment of a Palestinian terrorist state.
In response to Netanyahu's video, White House spokesman John Kirby stated that the Biden administration was unaware of the video beforehand and that Netanyahu's accusations were "incorrect." Kirby emphasized that the U.S. has been a steadfast supporter of Israel, providing significant defense and attack means since the beginning of the conflict.
Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to ensuring Israel's security, stating, "As Prime Minister of Israel, my job is to ensure that our heroic fighters have the best means of warfare. In light of what I have heard in the past day, I hope and believe that this issue will be resolved in the near future."
Additionally, Netanyahu announced the appointment of Major General Yiftach Ron-Tal as the head of the Takuma Directorate in the South and Major General Eliezer Marom (Cheney) as the head of the Northern Directorate. These appointments are part of the government's efforts to rehabilitate and develop the northern and southern regions of Israel.
- Netanyahu's decision to publicly criticize the Biden administration highlights the ongoing tensions between the two nations over defense issues. The Prime Minister's remarks underline his determination to secure the necessary armaments for Israel's defense forces, despite potential diplomatic fallout.
- The U.S. administration, on the other hand, has expressed its disappointment and concern over Netanyahu's public statements. This incident underscores the complexity of Israel-U.S. relations, particularly in the context of regional security and diplomatic cooperation.
- The appointments of Major General Yiftach Ron-Tal and Major General Eliezer Marom (Cheney) reflect the Israeli government's commitment to strengthening its defense infrastructure and ensuring the safety and development of its northern and southern regions.
