Rep. Ritchie Torres (DN.Y.) criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday after the prime minister went after President Biden in a video message, accusing him of withholding weapons from his country amid to the Israel-Hamas war.
Netanyahu’s message claims that Biden has repeatedly withheld weapons from Israel, accusing the president of supporting Hamas and Iran. The White House pushed back sharply, pointing to its record of consistent support for the country in the conflict.
“If you intend to undermine the bipartisanship of the US-Israel relationship, then release a public video attacking the Biden administration, which, despite hysterical opposition from the far left, has remained steadfast in support of Israel for eight months and counting,” Torres said on a post on X.
Torres is an ardent supporter of Israel. He left the Congressional Progressive Caucus in February due to an internal dispute over Israel policy.
“Disagreements should be had in private,” he continued. “Hamas is emboldened even by the appearance of a broken relationship.”
When asked about Netanyahu’s comments, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters: “We really don’t know what he’s talking about. We just don’t know.”
A White House official told The Hill that a meeting with Israeli officials was “held” this week following the comments.
The back-and-forth marks the latest example of tensions between the Biden administration and Netanyahu spilling over into the public as Israel wages its war against Hamas.
Democrats, including Biden, are increasingly frustrated with the war in Gaza, where more than 37,000 people have died as Israel struggles to destroy Hamas, the militant group that invaded southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200. people and taking another 250 hostages.
The White House has for months urged Israel to do more to prevent the deaths of innocent civilians and aid workers in Gaza, and polls show growing frustration with Biden’s handling of the conflict.
Biden warned last month that he would stop supplying Israel with offensive weapons such as bombs and artillery shells if it launched a long-promised invasion of Rafah. But the White House said Israel did not cross the red line, even after an Israeli attack killed dozens of Palestinians in the southern city of Gaza.
Netanyahu’s comments come as he is scheduled to address Congress on July 24. A growing number of Democrats, including progressives and more traditional members, have signaled they will boycott or otherwise protest the visit.
Brett Samuels contributed.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
