WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has once again taken the unprecedented step of bypassing Congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel. This decision comes as Israel faces increasing international criticism for its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
The State Department announced on Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had made a second emergency determination, approving a $147.5 million sale for equipment needed to support Israel’s defensive needs. This includes fuses, charges, and primers necessary for the 155 mm shells that Israel has already purchased.
“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to ensure Israel is able to defend itself against the threats it faces,” the department stated.
This emergency determination means that the purchase will bypass the usual congressional review requirement for foreign military sales. Such decisions are rare, but not unprecedented, when there is an urgent need for weapons to be delivered without waiting for lawmakers’ approval.
Secretary Blinken previously made a similar decision on December 9th, approving the sale of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth over $106 million to Israel.
These actions have been taken as President Joe Biden’s request for a nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and other national security needs remains stalled in Congress. Some Democratic lawmakers have expressed the need to make American assistance to Israel contingent on concrete steps to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the conflict with Hamas.
The State Department emphasized that it is in constant communication with Israel to minimize civilian casualties and ensure compliance with international humanitarian law.
Bypassing Congress with emergency determinations for arms sales is an unusual step that has met resistance from lawmakers in the past. However, at least four administrations have used this authority since 1979, including President George H.W. Bush’s administration during the Gulf War to quickly provide arms to Saudi Arabia.
It remains to be seen how this decision will be received by Congress and the international community as the conflict in the region continues.
Disagree with rumor #politicizedheadline
Disagree with politicized claim #noevidence
Good punctuation and grammar. Disagree. Another example of the Biden administration sidestepping the proper democratic process. The circumvention of Congress undermines transparency and accountability.
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