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Following pushback from US officials over claims that the United States was holding back weapons to Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has doubled down on criticisms that US ammunition and weapons deliveries are arriving to Israel in a “trickle,” adding that he is airing private disagreements to force a change in the situation.

In an interview with Punchbowl News, Netanyahu expressed frustration: “I felt that airing it was absolutely necessary after months of quiet conversation that did not solve the problem. I raised this issue with Secretary [of State Antony] Blinken. And I said that we are being told by our Defense Department officials that barely a trickle is coming in. He said, ‘Well, everything is in process. We’re doing everything to untangle it. And to clear up the bottlenecks.”

This double down comes after The Biden administration firmly denied Netanyahu’s portrayal of the situation. White House national security communications adviser John Kirby described Netanyahu’s remarks yesterday as “vexing,” “disappointing,” and “incorrect” in a call with reporters. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller also rejected claims of bottlenecks, clarifying that a policy review, not a delay, is the reason for the pause in one shipment of heavy bombs to Israel. This specific shipment has been scrutinized due to growing domestic criticism and protests over US involvement in the Gaza war.

Miller added, “Other shipments of weapons have been moving regularly to Israel, because we are committed to Israel’s long-term defense, and that includes things that have nothing to do with the war in Gaza but are capabilities related to Israel’s long-term security, defending itself against, for example, the threat from Iran.”

Netanyahu’s public disapproval of the Biden administration’s handling of weapons deliveries comes just weeks before he is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress. The White House has not confirmed whether President Biden and Netanyahu will meet during his visit.