During the autumn of 2016, the Obama administration finalized a significant military agreement with Israel, committing the United States to provide the country with $38 billion in arms over a decade.
President Barack Obama stated, “The continuous supply of the world’s most advanced weapons technology will ensure that Israel has the capability to defend itself from all types of threats.”
At that time, the agreement was not controversial. It was a period of relative peace for Israel, and few officials in Washington expressed concerns about the potential use of American arms in the future.
Now, this military aid package, which guarantees Israel $3.3 billion annually for weapon purchases, along with an additional $500 million for missile defense, has become a point of contention for the Biden administration. A minority of lawmakers in Congress, supported by liberal activists, are urging President Biden to restrict or even halt arms shipments to Israel due to its military campaign in Gaza.
While Mr. Biden has criticized the “indiscriminate bombing” in Israel’s war campaign, he has not imposed limits on U.S. military aid.
The United States and Israel have maintained strong military relations for decades, spanning across multiple Democratic and Republican administrations. Israel has procured much of its critical equipment from the United States, including fighter jets, helicopters, air defense missiles, and both unguided and guided bombs, which have been used in Gaza. Legislation requires the U.S. government to help Israel maintain force superiority over other Middle Eastern nations.
The process of arms delivery to Israel is not transparent, and the pipeline for weapons to the country is lengthy. The United States has sent tens of thousands of weapons to Israel since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas, many of which were approved by Congress and the State Department long ago and funded through the Obama-era agreement, known as a memorandum of understanding.
“At any given time, delivery on these sales is constantly taking place,” said Dana Stroul, who recently left as the Pentagon’s top official for Middle East affairs.
Mr. Biden has the authority to limit foreign arms deliveries, even those previously approved by Congress. Instead of cutting off Israel, he is advocating for $14 billion in additional arms aid to the country and U.S. military operations in the Middle East, a request he made shortly after the Oct. 7 attacks. However, the funding has been stalled in Congress amid disputes over Ukraine aid and U.S. border security, raising Democratic concerns.
Due to a legal loophole, the State Department is not required to disclose certain new arms orders placed by Israel since Oct. 7, as they fall below a certain dollar value. Congressional officials have criticized this secrecy, which contrasts with the Biden administration’s public announcements…
2024-04-06 21:12:27
Post from www.nytimes.com