White House refutes claims of delaying weapons to Israel: “No idea” what Netanyahu means
The summary details a disagreement between the White House and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concerning U.S. weapons shipments to Israel. The White House, specifically Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, refuted claims made by Netanyahu that the U.S. was delaying multiple arms deliveries, stating that only one specific shipment was paused and there were no other suspensions. Netanyahu had expressed strong disapproval of the Biden administration’s actions, suggesting in a pre-recorded video that the U.S. had been withholding necessary weapons and ammunition from Israel over the past few months. This statement came after a conversation Netanyahu had with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The White House on Tuesday disputed comments from Israel‘s prime minister that appeared to suggest the United States was delaying multiple weapons shipments for Israel’s war against Hamas.
“We generally do not know what he’s talking about,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “There was one particular shipment of munitions that was paused. … There are no other pauses. None.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered fierce criticism of the Biden administration in a prerecorded video shared on social media earlier in the day, saying it’s “inconceivable that in the past few months, the administration has been withholding weapons and ammunitions to Israel.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
“When Secretary Blinken was recently here in Israel, we had a candid conversation, I said I deeply appreciated the support the U.S. has given Israel from the beginning of the war. pic.twitter.com/xq5iw1JzcU
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 18, 2024
But Jean-Pierre rejected that suggestion out of hand during the afternoon press briefing.
“I don’t know what he’s talking about,” she said. “I was very clear about their being one shipment that we continue to have conversations with Israel about. Nothing else has been paused.”
President Joe Biden and his administration opted to pause one military aid shipment to Israel, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed in early May. The shipment, which included 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, was paused due to “the context of unfolding events in Rafah,” he told lawmakers.
About 1 million Palestinians have fled from Rafah as Israel’s operations in the southernmost city of Gaza continue.
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While Biden has expressed concerns about Israel moving forward with military operations, his press secretary was adamant that those concerns have not turned into additional weapons delays.
“I can’t speak for the prime minister; he’s clearly speaking for himself,” she said. “I’m speaking on behalf of this administration.”
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