‘Categorically False’: Former Biden Aides Reject Netanyahu Claim That U.S. Arms Holdback Cost Israeli Lives

Former top officials in the Biden administration lashed out at Prime Minister Netanyahu after he claimed that Israeli soldiers were killed due to an arms embargo imposed by the former president. In a rare press conference on Tuesday evening, Mr. Netanyahu said: “We paid a very heavy price in the war. Part of it is that at a certain point, we simply didn’t have enough ammunition, and people fell, heroes fell. Part of the loss of ammunition was also a result of the embargo.”“That changed when Trump took office,” Mr. Netanyahu said. The prime minister’s accusation was met with harsh criticism from former top aides to Mr. Biden. Former U.S. ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides told Ynet news site: “He is wrong. Biden’s support for Israel has been rock solid, and he did it at enormous political cost.”Amos Hochstein, former senior advisor to Mr. Biden, also lashed out at Mr. Netanyahu on X following the press conference. “Let me be clear to ‘journalists’ commenting. After more than $20 Billion military support, largest in Israel history, 2 aircraft carriers rushed to the region, deterring a massive regional war, defeating Iran missile/drone attack x2, defending israel at most vulnerable moments, after SAVING countless lives of Israelis – only acceptable response to POTUS Biden and American people is THANK YOU,” Mr. Hochstein said. Brett McGurk, former Middle East advisor to Mr. Biden told Axios: “That statement by Netanyahu is categorically false.”“Biden left office with a ceasefire in Gaza and hostages coming home, a ceasefire in Lebanon with Hezbollah defeated, Iran in its weakest position since 1979 after two failed missile attacks thanks to the deployment of US military forces and a coordinated response that destroyed Iran’s air defenses. His commitment to Israel’s security to include US military assistance was unwavering throughout the crisis,” he added. The U.S. did withhold a shipment of heavy bombers to Israel over the Netanyahu government’s decision to launch a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah, the southernmost city of Gaza, in May 2024. In June 2024 Mr. Netanyahu attacked Mr. Biden for his decision, saying: “It’s inconceivable that in the past few months, the administration has been withholding weapons and ammunitions to Israel. Give us the tools and we’ll finish the job a lot faster.”The Israeli prime minister also commented on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire during Tuesday’s press conference, vowing that no Turkish or Qatari soldiers will set foot in Gaza. “I’m hearing people saying that we will rebuild Gaza before it is demilitarized. That won’t happen. I’m also hearing that we will bring Turkish and Qatari soldiers into Gaza. That won’t happen,” Mr. Netanyahu said. “I’m hearing that I will allow the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza. That hasn’t happened, and it won’t happen,” he added. An Israeli official speaking on condition of anonymity meanwhile told New York Sun that Israel will “probably go to war with Hamas. They won’t disarm so there is no choice.”

‘Categorically False’: Former Biden Aides Reject Netanyahu Claim That U.S. Arms Holdback Cost Israeli Lives

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