Israel claims that close ally is preventing arms supplies
Date
6/27/2024 6:55:32 AM
(MENAFN) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has publicly criticized the United States for significantly decreasing its shipments of weapons to Israel during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Netanyahu made these remarks during a cabinet meeting, where he described the reduction in United States weapon supplies as "dramatic."
Netanyahu disclosed that Israel had initially pursued private diplomatic channels to expedite the delivery of weapons from the United States, but these efforts did not yield results. "For many weeks we turned to our American friends with a request to speed up the shipments," Netanyahu emphasized, noting that these appeals were made at various levels of engagement.
In a recent video address, Netanyahu accused the White House of deliberately withholding weapons from Israel. He cited assurances from United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken that efforts were underway to address logistical delays, but Israel's concerns persisted.
The tension between the two allies escalated when media reports suggested that a scheduled high-level United States -Israel meeting was canceled following Netanyahu's public statements. While United States officials clarified that the meeting was postponed due to scheduling issues rather than canceled outright, the move underscored the sensitivity of the issue.
Secretary Blinken had earlier acknowledged a temporary pause on the delivery of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, citing humanitarian concerns about their potential use in densely populated areas like Rafah. Despite this pause, Blinken reaffirmed the United States commitment to ensuring Israel's defensive capabilities.
Netanyahu's public remarks highlight Israel's frustration over what it perceives as inadequate support during a critical phase of conflict, raising questions about the dynamics of the United States -Israel alliance and the implications for ongoing military operations in the region.
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