For the second time in a month, the Joe Biden administration has granted emergency approval for the sale of munitions to Israel, sidestepping the United States Congress. The decision comes as Israel escalates its attacks on the Gaza Strip, drawing international condemnation for the increasing civilian casualties.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed Congress about the emergency determination, greenlighting a $147.5 million equipment sale to Israel, as disclosed by the State Department on Friday.
Citing the urgency of Israel’s defensive requirements, the State Department stated, “The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to ensure Israel is able to defend itself against the threats it faces.”
The approved package includes ancillary items like fuses, charges, and primers, essential for Israel to operationalise the 155mm shells it had previously acquired.
This rare emergency determination bypasses the usual requirement for a potentially lengthy congressional review of foreign military sales, a move employed by at least four previous US administrations.
Despite calls from top Biden administration officials for Israel to transition to a lower-intensity conflict and cease mass civilian deaths, the emergency weapons sale provides Israel with the necessary munitions to sustain a high-intensity campaign.
Among the items approved are 155mm M107 projectiles and artillery shells with the potential for widespread destruction in densely populated areas like Gaza. The decision raises concerns about the apparent contradiction between the administration’s calls for de-escalation and the continued supply of weaponry, enabling intensified military actions.
