The Israeli leader said he is willing to suffer personal attacks so long as Israel gets weapons from the US
The strife between the White House and Tel Aviv could have been avoided if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu listened to his aides who instructed him not to post a video attacking the Biden administration, according to a senior Israeli official.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu published a video on X that slammed the White House for blocking military transfers to Israel. “When Secretary Blinken was recently here in Israel, we had a candid conversation. I said I deeply appreciate the support the US has given Israel from the beginning of the war. But I also said something else.” He continued, “I said it is inconceivable that in the past few months, the administration has been withholding weapons and ammunition to Israel.”
The Biden administration’s response has been a mixture of anger and confusion. The White House suspended one strategic summit between US and Israeli officials about Iran, but business between Washington and Tel Aviv remains largely unchanged. High-level meetings between Israel and US officials are expected in the coming days.
Several US officials have said they are perplexed by Netanyahu’s remarks because US weapons are flowing to Israel at the normal pace, with the exception of one shipment of 2,000-pound bombs that the White House says is under review.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters, “We genuinely do not know what he’s talking about.”
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the video was “disappointing and vexing.” “It’s hard to know what went through him, the video was puzzling to say the least,” he stated.
Netanyahu appears to have taken the White House’s mild response personal attack. “I am ready to suffer personal attacks provided that Israel receives from the US the ammunition it needs in the war for its existence,” he posted on X on Thursday. It is unclear what personal attack was made against him.
A senior Israeli official said the strain that Netanyahu’s video put on the Washington-Tel Aviv relationship could have been avoided. “Netanyahu made the decision against the opinion of the advisers and ministers with whom he consulted.” The official added the remarks caused “great outrage in the Biden administration.”
The PM was reported to have discussed the issue with National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, both members of his Likud party, along with other ministers.
