Under Pressure From Administration, Democrat Congressmen Sign Off On Huge Arms Deal To Israel

NEW YORK (VINnews) — Under heavy pressure from the Biden administration, several key Democrat representatives in Congress have agreed to authorize a significant arms sale to Israel which includes 50 F-15 fighter jets worth 18 billion dollars, according to a Washington Post report Monday.

Representative Gregory Meeks and Senator Ben Cardin have both now signed off on the deal. The two had for months held up the weapons sale, according to the Post.

“Any issues or concerns Chair Cardin had were addressed through our ongoing consultations with the (Biden)Administration, and that’s why he felt it appropriate to allow this case to move forward,” Eric Harris, communications director for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told the Post in a statement.

Meeks told the paper that he had been in close contact with the White House and had urged them to pressure Israel over humanitarian efforts and civilian casualties. He said previously that the F-15s would not be delivered until “years from now,” according to the Post.

Germany’s Bild newspaper reported Sunday that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu last week that the administration would lift the limitations on arms transfers to Israel in the coming days. Netanyahu had demanded the renewal of arms supplies in a call with Blinken after their delivery was stalled over the conduct of the Israeli government. Netanyahu also asked for deliveries to be increased, in the face of the threats the country is currently facing on multiple fronts.

According to the report, Netanyahu said that, unlike the help given by the U.S. at the start of the war, the situation has reversed recently and arms have been withheld at the time Israel is facing a threat to its existence. He said that this has bolstered Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas and was prolonging the war and increasing the risk for further escalation.

The prime minister instructed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who will both be in Washington this week, to ensure the renewal of the supply of arms in their meetings with American officials.

Before the current offensive on Rafah began on May 6th, U.S. President Joe Biden said he would withhold bombs and shells if the IDF launched a major operation there, as the US feared massive civilian casualties in the region, where there are nearly a million refugees. Israel is now well into the operation and the administration’s concerns have been adequately addressed, with only minimal civilian casualties reported.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month, that amid pressure, the administration was delaying the transfer of thousands of kits that transform simple bombs into smart ones, valued at $260 million, ammunition for tanks, vehicles, mortars and more, at a total value of one billion dollars. Later reports said Washington was preparing a new shipment of ammunition valued at $700 million including armored tactical vehicles and mortars.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said military aid to Israel was continuing, except 900 kg. bombs which the administration does not believe should be used in densely populated urban areas.