Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had to deny a report today, Wednesday, indicating that his government approved the shipment of weapons to Palestinian security forces after far-right ministers in his coalition expressed anger. Israeli army radio reported that "the United States provided the Palestinian security services in the occupied West Bank with 1,500 rifles and Israel approved the deal on the condition that the weapons be used against the Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements."
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who supports policies favorable to nationalist settlement groups, reacted angrily and demanded that Netanyahu issue a public denial. Israeli media reported that his coalition ally, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, was "furious." Ben Gvir stated in a statement, "Mr. Prime Minister, if you do not confirm to us in your voice that the reports concerning the delivery of weapons to the Palestinian Authority are incorrect, there will be consequences."
In a video posted on his social media accounts, Netanyahu denied the report, calling it "fake news," but said that the government had approved the transfer of several armored vehicles, a decision made by the previous government. He added, "This is what happened. There were no armored military vehicles, no tanks, no Kalashnikov rifles, nothing."
For his part, a spokesperson for the Palestinian security services, Talal Douikat, denied the report in a phone call with the official Wafa news agency, affirming "the untruth of what is being circulated by some media and yellow journalism regarding the Palestinian National Authority receiving equipment and supplies through the Israeli occupation authorities." He stated that "the promotion of this news comes in the context of a campaign of incitement against the National Authority and its security services," while also confirming "the National Authority's right to obtain everything it needs to carry out its regular work."
A spokesperson for the U.S. embassy also denied the report, saying that "U.S. security assistance to the Palestinian Authority does not include providing weapons or ammunition to the Palestinian security forces."
