Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed his Cabinet on Sunday about a significant decrease in U.S. weapons shipments for Israel’s efforts in Gaza, reiterating a claim that the Biden administration has refuted. This emphasizes the escalating tensions between the two allies.
Netanyahu stated to his Cabinet that the decrease occurred four months ago, without specifying the type of weapons, only mentioning that “certain items arrived intermittently while the majority of munitions were delayed.”
The disagreement underscores the heightened tensions between Israel and Washington regarding the conflict in Gaza, particularly concerning the Israeli military’s actions in the region and the impact on civilian life. President Joe Biden has postponed the delivery of specific heavy bombs since May due to these concerns, but his administration pushed back last week against Netanyahu’s allegations that other shipments were also affected.
Netanyahu revealed that he released an English video last week after unsuccessful attempts to expedite deliveries through negotiations with American officials. He expressed optimism that a resolution was nearing.
His video sparked criticism in Israel and confusion from White House officials. White House spokespersons expressed puzzlement over Netanyahu’s claims.
Netanyahu’s statements came following Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s visit to Washington for discussions with senior officials. Gallant’s office statement indicated discussions on maintaining Israel’s military edge in the region but did not mention the weapons issue.
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The war in Gaza, initiated by Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, has strained the U.S.-Israel relationship. While the U.S. has supported Israel’s goals in Gaza, concerns have risen over the Palestinian casualties and humanitarian crisis.
Biden faces pressure from progressive Democrats to take a firmer stance against Israel, and he has emphasized warnings to Netanyahu on military actions in Gaza. Despite threats of restricting arms transfers over events in Rafah, the administration has not indicated that Israel’s move into the city violates any red lines.
Amid an election year, Biden also confronts criticism from the right for allegedly weakening support for a crucial Middle East ally.
For Netanyahu, the growing divide with the U.S. presents both risks and opportunities. Critics view the public disputes as a leader willing to jeopardize alliances for political purposes, while supporters see it as a demonstration of prioritizing Israel’s interests over international relationships.
