US denies report it canceled talks in DC over Netanyahu’s complaint of weapons holdup

The White House on Wednesday denied reports in US and Israeli media that it had canceled high-level talks between American and Israeli security officials in Washington, DC.

According to Axios and several Hebrew outlets, the meeting was canceled after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video on social media berating the Biden administration for supposed holdups in the supply of arms to Israel.

By canceling the meeting, the US intended to send a message to Netanyahu that such public criticism was unacceptable, according to Axios. “This decision makes it clear that there are consequences for pulling such stunts,” one US official was quoted as saying.

A senior Israeli official quoted in the report agreed: “The Americans are fuming. [Netanyahu’s] video made a lot of damage.”