Details and Approval of the Proposed Arms Sale
The Biden administration has officially submitted a proposed arms sale to Israel worth $8 billion to Congress. The extensive package includes artillery shells, small-diameter bombs, warheads, and ammunition for fighter jets and attack helicopters. Axios was the first to report on the proposal, emphasizing the strategic importance of this deal for defense cooperation.
For the deal to proceed, it requires approval from both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Parliamentary committees must review and authorize the proposal before it can take effect. Despite growing public attention, the U.S. State Department has not issued a statement on the matter.
Unwavering Support for Israel Amid Global Protests
For months, demonstrations have called for a U.S. arms embargo against Israel due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Nevertheless, the Biden administration has continued to defend its support for Israel, citing its right to self-defense. U.S. officials emphasize that the arms deal is essential to counter threats from groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthi rebels.
In August, the U.S. also approved another $20 billion weapons deal with Israel, which included modern fighter jets and additional military equipment. These ongoing arms deals underscore the strong military alliance between the U.S. and Israel, despite mounting global criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has displaced nearly all of the region’s 2.3 million inhabitants. Hunger, destruction, and escalating humanitarian suffering characterize the situation. Gaza’s health ministry reports over 45,000 deaths, with many more victims likely buried under rubble. Israel denies accusations of genocide, defending its military actions as necessary for national security.
Conflict Without Resolution – Diplomatic Efforts Fail
The war in Gaza has now been ongoing for over 15 months, with no end in sight. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Since then, violence has escalated, with international mediation efforts yielding no results.
The U.S. has repeatedly blocked UN Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire. This approach highlights the strong U.S.-Israel alliance but has created tensions with other global actors. Critics accuse Washington of exacerbating the conflict with its unconditional support.
President Joe Biden will hand over office to Donald Trump on January 20, but his support for Israel remains unchanged. Trump, the incoming president, has also repeatedly emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Both leaders view the U.S.-Israel partnership as a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy.
The Biden administration defends the proposed arms sale by stating that it is necessary to protect Israel from regional threats. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, and a resolution to the conflict seems increasingly distant.
