PM makes explosive charges on Biden-era arms embargo

Jan 28, 2026

Lazar Berman, diplomatic correspondent covering Israeli politics and foreign relations, offers on-the-ground analysis. He recounts the tense mood at Netanyahu’s press conference and the prime minister’s claims about Biden-era arms limits. They discuss Gaza’s demilitarization, public appetite for further operations, and shifting Saudi rhetoric in regional alignments.

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ANECDOTE

Return Of The Final Hostage

Master Sergeant Ran Gvili's remains were returned after forensic teams examined 250 bodies in Gaza.
Benjamin Netanyahu framed the return as a promise fulfilled and emphasized his role at a rare press conference.

INSIGHT

Netanyahu Blames Biden-Era Embargo

Netanyahu accused Biden-era arms embargoes of contributing to Israeli soldiers' deaths by creating ammunition shortages.
U.S. aides strongly rejected the claim, saying Israel should be thanking the Biden administration for support.

INSIGHT

Political Signaling To U.S. Rivals

Netanyahu's public criticism of Biden may be a signal to Donald Trump and U.S. Republicans ahead of meetings.
Lazar Berman suggested the remark could be aimed at currying favor with Trump by attacking Biden.

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Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the final hostage that was kept in Gaza, is buried today. Last night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a wide-ranging press conference, during which he raised unusual allegations against the Biden administration. We hear from Berman about the mood in the room and the premier's two remaining foci -- dismantling Hamas’s weapons and demilitarizing Gaza of arms and tunnels.

During the press conference, Berman asked Netanyahu about the changing rhetoric out of Saudi Arabia, which is increasingly aligning itself with actors such as Pakistan and Turkey. We learn what the premier had to say.

Yesterday, International Holocaust Remembrance Day was observed across the world. January 27 marks the anniversary of the liberation by Soviet forces of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the most notorious of the Nazi German death camps. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky marked the day at the Babyn Yar ravine outside of Kyiv, where Nazis and their collaborators murdered more than 33,000 Jews in a two-day rampage in 1941. Berman weighs in.

Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Netanyahu: Israeli soldiers lost their lives in Gaza due to Biden-era arms embargo

Netanyahu: No Gaza rebuild before Hamas disarms, Israel will keep ‘security control’ over Gaza

Netanyahu: If Saudis want deal, we expect them not to align with anti-Israel forces

Zelensky, flanked by Ukrainian rabbis, marks Holocaust Remembrance Day at Babyn Yar

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves and Ari Schlacht.

IMAGE: Then-president Joe Biden, right, shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, in the Oval Office, July 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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