Netanyahu says Blinken told him US seeking to end ‘inconceivable’ weapons halt
In English-language statement, PM confirms reports he demanded Biden administration remove barriers to flow of munitions, argues it will help bring end to war
By LAZAR BERMAN and JACOB MAGID
Today, 5:58 pm
Following reports that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington would remove all restrictions on weapons transfers to Israel in the coming days, the prime minister went on the record Tuesday to assert that the top American diplomat had given him assurances to that effect.
“When Secretary Blinken was recently here in Israel, we had a candid conversation. I said I deeply appreciated the support the US has given Israel from the beginning of the war,” Netanyahu said in an English-language video.
“But I also said something else, I said it’s inconceivable that in the past few months, the administration has been withholding weapons and ammunitions to Israel,” he added. “Israel, America’s closest ally, fighting for its life, fighting against Iran and our other common enemies.”
“Secretary Blinken assured me that the administration is working day and night to remove these bottlenecks,” Netanyahu continued. “I certainly hope that’s the case. It should be the case. During World War II, Churchill told the US – give us the tools, we’ll do the job. And I say, give us the tools and we’ll finish the job much faster.”
Blinken was asked to confirm Netanyahu’s account of their meeting during a press conference in Washington later Tuesday. The top US diplomat indicated that the Israeli premier was exaggerating the step taken by the US, insisting that only one shipment has been withheld.
“We are continuing to review one shipment that President [Joe] Biden has talked about with regard to 2000-pound bombs because of our concerns about their use in a densely populated area like Rafah. That remains under review,” Blinken said.
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