NewsRescue
The administration of US President Joe Biden has evaded congressional jurisdiction over military aid to Israel by obtaining emergency approval for the sale of $106.5 million in tank ammunition required for the combat effort against Hamas in Gaza.
On Saturday, the US State Department confirmed its decision, stating it had told Congress the day before after Secretary of State Antony Blinken judged that “an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale” of tank shells to Israel. According to the government, the emergency declaration was made to safeguard US national security interests.
Approvals of such arms sales rarely bypass congressional oversight and are ostensibly granted only when the executive branch sees the need to deliver weapons as too urgent to wait for lawmakers to take action. The deal with Israel includes nearly 14,000 high-explosive tank rounds. The M830 high-explosive shells are capable of destroying tanks and other armored targets.
“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the State Department said in a statement. “This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives. Israel will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense.”
The declaration of an emergency comes as President Joe Biden’s administration seeks legislative approval for $106 billion in supplementary security spending, including $14.3 billion for Israel. The US House passed legislation last month that would provide $14.5 billion in aid, but Biden has insisted on cash for Israel and Ukraine being combined. Republican lawmakers have blocked more aid to Kiev after earlier authorising $113 billion in outlays, claiming concerns that Washington is simply extending the conflict with Russia without a clear strategy for success.