WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden’s administration has approved the potential sale of $735 million in precision-guided weapons to Israel amid Tel Aviv’s ongoing offensive on the Gaza Strip.
According to a report published by the Washington Post, the decision to approve the sale was made on May 5, about a week before the escalating violence began. The sale has concerned some House Democrats who have pressed the administration to limit military support for the Israeli government amid growing assault on Gaza.
Congress was informed of the planned sale in April, as part of the normal informal review process before of the formal notification on May 5. Under US law, the formal notification opens up a 15-day window for Congress to object to the sale.
The sale was considered routine at the time, before the start last week of the fiercest hostilities in the region in years. There were no objections at the time of the congressional foreign affairs committees that review such sales, three aides said.
Asked for comment, a State Department spokesperson noted that the department is restricted under federal law and regulations from publicly commenting on or confirming details of licensing activity related to direct commercial sales like the JDAMs agreement.
US law allows Congress to object to weapons sales, but it is unlikely to do so in this case. Because Israel is among a handful of countries whose military deals are approved under an expedited process.
The decision to green light the sale also stirred opposition among some members of US President Joe Biden’s Democratic Party, including Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. Shortly after the story was published, Ilhan Omar said the sale should not be completed while crimes against humanity are being committed with our backing.
Meanwhile, Human rights group Amnesty has also condemned US plans to sell weapons worth $735m to Israel in the midst of the latest conflict, saying the approval undermines the US commitment to upholding human rights around the world.
“By supplying weapons that could be used to commit war crimes, the US government is taking the risk of fueling further attacks against civilians and seeing more people killed or injured by US weapons,” Philippe Nassif, Amnesty International USA’s advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa said.
At least 212 Palestinians have been killed, including 61 children, in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since last week, according to the Gaza-based Palestinian Health Ministry.
