Blinken: PM would tell us one thing then often contradict himself to ensure his coalition survived

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggests that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would say one thing in private conversations with the Biden administration and then often subsequently contradicted himself in front of other audiences in order to ensure the survival of his hard-right coalition.

Blinken is asked during an interview with the New Yorker whether Netanyahu has been truthful in his correspondence with the US.

“In the moment of those conversations, yes,” Blinken responds laughing.

“I’m laughing because given the incredibly complicated coalition politics that exist in Israel, he proceeds in many ways on the basis of what gets [him] to tomorrow and keeps [his] coalition together,” Blinken says.

“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 acknowledges.

Blinken admits that over the course of the administration’s efforts to secure a ceasefire, “there are many moments of frustration… But you have to keep your eye on the prize.”