Claims have caused tensions with the US over the past week
Netanyahu repeats claim of weapons slowdown in Cabinet meeting – ‘there has been a dramatic decline’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at a Cabinet meeting on Sunday, repeated the claim of a weapons slowdown from the United States when he said that “there has been a dramatic decline in the supply of munitions from the United States. A large mass has been left behind.”
The prime minister referred to the video he released last week, in which he called on the U.S. to provide the tools Israel needs “to finish the job.”
“After months of no change in this situation, I have decided to express it publicly,” he said.
Netanyahu insisted that the decision to publicly express his call for aid came after months of trying to address the situation privately.
“About four months ago, there was a dramatic decline in the supply of munitions that arrived from the United States to Israel,” Netanyahu told the members of the Cabinet. “For weeks, we appealed to our American friends to speed up deliveries.”
Despite his efforts, he said, there was no change in the amount of munitions being delivered.
“We did it at the highest levels, and at all levels, and I want to emphasize – we did it in rooms. We got all kinds of explanations, but one thing we didn’t get: the basic situation hasn’t changed. Some items arrived in drips, but the large mass of munitions was left behind.”
Netanyahu said he realized that the release of his video statement would cause political problems.
“I did it out of years of experience, and the knowledge that this step is essential to remove the traffic jam,” the prime minister stated. “I expected it to involve personal attacks against me at home and abroad.”
He praised the “bravery” of Israeli soldiers and said he expects the situation to be resolved soon.
“As the prime minister of Israel, my job is to do everything to ensure that our heroic fighters have the best weapons,” Netanyahu said. “In light of what I have heard in the past 24 hours, I hope and believe that this issue will be resolved in the near future. But I would like to emphasize, and I have also said this to our American friends – one means we have, and it has always tipped the scales: the bravery and determination of our fighters – and with this weapon we will win.”
The Biden administration has not yet responded to Netanyahu’s most recent statement, however, the White House expressed its frustration with Netanyahu’s claims and has consistently denied any slowdown of weapons delivery to Israel.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is currently in Washington for meetings with U.S. officials, where he is expected to raise the issue of arms shipments.
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