The United States has canceled a high-level meeting with Israel following remarks by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he criticized the Biden administration for delaying the supply of weapons to Israel. The meeting, which was to be held in Washington, was intended to focus on Iran's nuclear program.
Netanyahu expressed his frustration, stating, 'It is inconceivable that in recent months the administration has withheld weapons and ammunition from Israel.' He emphasized the urgency by referencing historical context, 'During World War II, Churchill said to the United States: Give us the tools, we will do the job. And I say: Give us the tools and we will get the job done much faster.'
In response, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre clarified, 'There was only one shipment of weapons to Israel that was blocked; everything else continues to flow regularly.' She added, 'We really don't know what he's talking about.'
Following Netanyahu's video, President Biden's envoy, Amos Hochstein, met with the Israeli Prime Minister and reportedly told him that the 'allegations' were 'inaccurate' and 'out of line.' Despite this, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and his Israeli counterpart Tzachi Hanegbi will continue their discussions.
The controversy comes amid heightened tensions on the Lebanon-Israel border and ongoing rocket warning sirens in both southern and northern Israel. The alarms, particularly in the Kerem Shalom area, underscore the volatile security situation.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has assured that the Biden administration is working 'day and night' to remove any bottlenecks in the supply chain, despite concerns over the use of certain weapons in densely populated areas like Rafah. Blinken emphasized that the US aims to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself effectively.
- The meeting between Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and US officials was canceled, leading to an alternative appointment between National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu's comments were aimed at increasing public pressure on the Biden administration to expedite the supply of weapons. He highlighted the critical nature of the US-Israel alliance, particularly in the context of threats from Iran and other common enemies.
- The Biden administration has faced domestic scrutiny over its supply of weapons to Israel, particularly after stopping a shipment of heavy bombs in early May. This decision was influenced by concerns over the potential use of these bombs in heavily populated areas.
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been cautious in his public statements, avoiding detailed discussions of his diplomatic conversations with Netanyahu. However, he has reiterated the US commitment to ensuring Israel's security needs are met.
