During a meeting in Israel, US envoy Amos Hochstein and Ambassador Jack Lew clarified to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his recent public comments about the US withholding weapons and ammunition from Israel were inaccurate. The US officials emphasized that, except for ongoing discussions on large diameter munitions, all other items have either been delivered, are in the process of delivery, or are under review.
The Biden administration expressed frustration with Netanyahu's statements, calling them unproductive and wrong. This disagreement comes amidst heightened tensions in the region, with concerns over the conflict in Gaza and potential escalation with Hezbollah.
While this is not the first time Netanyahu has criticized the Biden administration publicly, the recent dispute has led to the postponement of a US-Israel Strategic Consultative Group meeting. The meeting, initially scheduled for Thursday, was reportedly delayed to send a message to Netanyahu, although officials maintain that it was not directly in response to his comments.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed the US commitment to ensuring Israel's defense needs are met, despite delays in some shipments. He clarified that the process of transferring arms to Israel can be lengthy and that certain items may take years to reach their destination.
Overall, the US-Israel relationship continues to face challenges amid differing perspectives on arms transfers and regional security issues. Both parties are navigating domestic political pressures while striving to maintain their strategic partnership.
