The Trump administration announced $7 billion in arms sales to Israel, including munitions and missiles, days after Congress blocked the initial deal.
The State Department said Friday it approved $6.755 billion in ammunition, guidance kits, foods and ammunition support, including a 2,166 GBU-39/B light rain bomb for sale to Israel. In another part of the package, the US is sending 3,000 Hellfire missiles and other equipment at an estimated cost of $660 million.
Missile delivery is scheduled to begin in 2028.
“The proposed sales will improve Israel's ability to meet current and future threats, strengthen the defense of their homeland, and serve as a deterrent to local threats,” said the US Defense Security and Cooperation Agency (DSCA). said in a press release. “Israel already has these weapons in stock, and it's not difficult to absorb this equipment into the military.”
The sale of the weapons comes just two days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington and held a joint press conference with President Trump. The contract shows billions of arms sales to Israel under the current regime.
Rep. Gregory Meeks (DN.Y.), a ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the Trump administration, which reportedly bypassed Congress and reportedly proceeded with the immediate sale of arms.
“Today, the Trump administration has informed me that it will abolish Congressional oversight and years of permanent practice and will soon inform billions of arms sales,” Meeks said. statement on friday. “The move is “another denial of just and legal surveillance privilege” by Congressional Donald Trump. ”
The top four lawmakers on both the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee can suspend arms sales to US allies if they are valued at a certain amount.
Congress put a billion-dollar weapons package in Israel earlier this week. This includes a 4,700-pound bomb and a Caterpillar armored bulldozer. After the transfer of weapons was stopped, Meeks said he would approve the request when he was used to the answers he asks for the current administration.
“This is not the situation – Biden, especially Trump – the king comes in and says, 'This is what I want.' Case, Prime Minister Netanyahu is here, so you want it to look like something. ”
“No. He continued, “And when I answer the question, in a responsible way, in a responsible way of reviews, when I ask the question, I'm fine. ”
