Biden’s tensions with Netanyahu have reached a breaking point.
The White House recently canceled a planned meeting with Israeli officials following a controversial video statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he alleged that the United States was withholding military aid.
Originally scheduled for Thursday to discuss matters related to Iran, the meeting was abruptly called off. Senior advisers to President Joe Biden were reportedly incensed by Netanyahu’s accusations, as reported by Axios.
“This action clearly shows that there are consequences for making such statements,” a U.S. official told Axios.
In the video, Netanyahu expressed his astonishment, stating that the U.S. administration has been restricting guns and ammo from Israel over the last few months.
President Biden has delayed the delivery of specific heavy bombs since May due to concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza. Despite this, the administration has carefully avoided implying that Israeli actions have crossed a significant line in Rafah, which could trigger a more extensive arms embargo.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre clarified that the U.S. has provided Israel with billions of dollars in military aid and that only one weapons shipment had been paused.
“We honestly do not understand his claims,” Jean-Pierre said.
Netanyahu also mentioned that during a recent visit to Israel, Secretary of State Antony Blinken had assured him that efforts were being made to resolve the delays.
However, Blinken reiterated on Tuesday that the only suspended shipment was the heavy bombs from May.
“As you know, we are still reviewing one particular shipment of 2,000-pound bombs because of concerns about their use in densely populated areas like Rafah,” Blinken stated during a State Department news conference. “This review is ongoing.
“But all other shipments are proceeding as usual.”
U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein personally informed Netanyahu that his allegations were incorrect and inappropriate, according to Israeli officials who spoke to Axios. Despite the canceled meeting, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is still going to meet with his Israeli counterpart, Tzachi Hanegbi. Additionally, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is scheduled to visit early next week, according to officials.
Earlier in March, Netanyahu had also canceled a meeting with U.S. officials after they chose not to veto a UN Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.