Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Netanyahu said to falsely blame opposition for UNRWA legislation’s passage in call with Blinken
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) shakes hands with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a meeting in Jerusalem, August 19, 2024. (Haim Zach/GPO)
A US official tells the Axios news site that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu falsely told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that opposition lawmakers were the ones responsible for advancing legislation aimed at significantly restricting UNRWA’s operations.
Blinken raised Washington’s concern over the legislation during his one-on-one meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem last week, the US official says.
Netanyahu retorted by blaming the opposition and told Blinken that he should raise the issue with its leader Yair Lapid.
While Lapid’s party voted in favor of the legislation, the bills were brought to a final vote earlier today by Netanyahu’s coalition.
Lawmakers from both blocs co-sponsored the bill.
