Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the administration of United States President Joe Biden for "holding back" arms shipments to Israel in recent months. In a video statement this week, Netanyahu called it "inconceivable" that the US was holding arms and ammunition for Israel.
"US Secretary of State [Antony] Blinken assured me that his government is working day and night to remove these obstacles. I certainly hope so. That is how it should be," said Netanyahu, reported by Al Jazeera. Every year, Washington provides military assistance amounting to US$3.8 billion (equivalent to Rp. 57 trillion) to Israel. Last April, Biden even signed the latest law, to add additional aid funds of US$17 billion (equivalent to Rp. 278 trillion) amid the Zionist aggression in Gaza.
But last month, the US confirmed that it was holding back a shipment of 900 kilogram bombs to Israel, fearing civilian casualties in an attack on the Rafah refugee camp, in southern Gaza. However, a media report earlier this week said the Biden administration had pressured Democratic lawmakers to sign off on an $18 billion sale of 50 F-15 fighter jets to Israel.
On the other hand, US Secretary of State Blinken emphasized that the US is committed to Israel's security and continues to transfer weapons to Israel "regularly".
The White House also denied Netanyahu's claim that the US withheld weapons from Israel for months and stressed it had only stopped one bomb shipment.
The Biden administration is facing pressure to halt military aid to Israel, citing its use to carry out genocide in Gaza.
Israel also continues to launch attacks on refugee camps in Rafah, despite receiving criticism from the international community.
To date, more than 37 thousand civilians have died in Gaza due to Israeli brutality, where most of the victims are women and children.
Source:CNN Indonesia
