Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated that Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu often expressed one stance during private discussions with the Biden administration but later made contradictory statements in public settings to maintain the stability of his right-wing coalition.
During an interview with the New Yorker, Blinken was asked if Netanyahu had been honest in his communications with the United States.
“In the moment of those conversations, yes,” Blinken said with a laugh.
Explaining his laughter, Blinken remarked on the complexities of Israel’s coalition politics, noting that Netanyahu operates with a focus on immediate political survival. “He proceeds in many ways on the basis of what gets [him] to tomorrow and keeps [his] coalition together,” Blinken explained.
Blinken acknowledged that Netanyahu’s messaging sometimes shifted depending on the audience. “He might say one thing to me, and then depending on the audience he’s before next, maybe that takes a little bit of a different turn,” he said.
Reflecting on the administration’s efforts to broker a ceasefire, Blinken admitted, “there are many moments of frustration… But you have to keep your eye on the prize.”
{Matzav.com}