By way of an informal review process that had been going on in the house foreign affairs committee, the US state department has officially informed Congress that they are selling more than$ 8 billion in weapons to Israel.
The decision was made only two weeks after US President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed plans for the future of Gaza.
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As The New York Times reported, the Pentagon announced on Friday that the arms package includes 3, 000 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles worth$ 660 million, along with bombs and guidance kits valued at$ 6.75 billion.
Artillery shells are also included in the price, but the Pentagon did not make a public statement about that aspect of the deal.
The$ 8 billion arms package was originally proposed by the Biden administration in January and was later reviewed by the congressional committee. Consultant Gregory Meeks, the leading Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, delayed the sale while a top Republican senator and a leading Republican senator endorsed it.
Despite Meeks ‘ issues, the State Department proceeded with the sale after it remained under casual evaluation for over 20 weeks, the standard time for such factors.
Simmons sharply criticized the presidency, stating that moving forward without addressing legislators ‘ questions showed a “blatant reject of long-standing legislative prerogative”.
As per the New York Times, he added,” I continue to support Israel’s important military demands as it faces a range of local risks”, but argued that the administration failed to offer adequate documentation or explanation.
Trump has taken a series of measures to boost Israel’s military functions. In late January, he lifted a keep on sending 2, 000-pound weapons to Israel, which had been paused under Biden due to concerns over human deaths. Trump defended the determination, stating, “because they bought them”.
Given that Republicans would have a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate to stop the sale, it is doubtful that this latest hands move will go through without major challenges.
In the meantime, the US Congress is currently reviewing a distinct Jewish request to buy 5, 000 US-made assault rifles, and more arms sales may be made in the coming weeks.
