The Biden administration informed key lawmakers on Tuesday that it plans to send over $1 billion in additional arms and ammunition to Israel, as reported by three congressional aides.
The timing of the weapons delivery remains unknown.
This arms shipment marks the first disclosed transfer to Israel since the administration halted another arms transfer earlier this month, which included 3,500 bombs weighing up to 2,000 pounds each. The Biden administration paused this transfer due to concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza, aiming to prevent Israel from using these specific munitions in its offensive in Rafah, a densely populated city in southern Gaza.
The newly revealed package consists of approximately $700 million for tank ammunition, $500 million for tactical vehicles, and $60 million for mortar rounds, according to the congressional aides who requested anonymity to discuss the undisclosed arms transfer.
The exact timing of the shipment remains uncertain. Two congressional aides clarified that this delivery is separate from the foreign aid package recently passed by Congress and signed by President Biden. It is unclear whether this shipment is part of an ongoing arms sale or a new initiative.
Republican lawmakers have capitalized on the administration’s temporary halt on bomb transfers, arguing that any reduction in U.S. support for Israel weakens the country’s ability to combat Hamas and other Iran-backed groups, which are its adversaries. In response, House Republicans are preparing to introduce a bill this week that would require the provision of offensive weaponry to Israel.
However, despite the suspension of one bomb shipment, President Biden and his administration have made it clear that they will continue to deliver other weapons and provide comprehensive military support to Israel. Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. military aid.
National security spokesman John Kirby assured reporters on Monday that President Biden will ensure that Israel has all the necessary military capabilities to defend itself against all its enemies, including Hamas. The President’s stance is straightforward: he will continue to supply Israel with the required capabilities, but he does not want certain categories of American weapons to be used in specific operations or locations. This position has been consistently communicated by President Biden.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on the plans for a $1 billion weapons package to Israel.
Biden Administration Threatens Veto
In response to the House Republicans’ intention to advance a bill mandating the delivery of offensive weapons to Israel, the White House announced on Tuesday that President Biden would veto the bill if it were to pass Congress.
Given that the Democratic-controlled Senate is highly unlikely to pass the bill, its chances of becoming law are practically nonexistent. However, House Democrats have differing opinions on the matter, and approximately twenty-four of them have signed a letter to the Biden administration expressing deep concerns about the message conveyed by the temporary suspension of the bomb shipment.
One of the signatories of the letter, Representative Ritchie Torres of New York, stated that despite the White House’s opposition, he is inclined to vote in favor of the bill.
He stated that he generally supports pro-Israel legislation, unless it contains a detrimental provision such as cuts to domestic policy.
Furthermore, a White House official stated that in addition to the written veto threat, they have been communicating with lawmakers and congressional aides regarding the legislation.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the administration’s strong opposition to any attempts to limit the President’s authority in deploying U.S. security assistance in line with foreign policy and national security objectives. She also mentioned that the administration intends to utilize all the funds allocated by Congress in the national security supplemental package signed into law by President Biden last month.
