United States President Joe Biden's administration is facing widespread criticism after it once again bypassed Congressional review to approve the transfer of nearly $150 million worth of military equipment to Israel.
On Friday, a State Department spokesperson revealed the Secretary of State Antony Blinken notified Congress of the emergency determination. It was to immediately approve the transfer of "155mm ancillary items including fuzes, charges, and primers that make 155mm shells functional."
Sale of Weapons to Israel
The spokesperson added that due to the urgency of Israel's defensive needs amid its war against the Hamas militant group, the secretary exercised his delegated authority. Blinken determined an emergency existed that necessitated the immediate approval of the weapons transfer.
The official also noted that additional items were included in previous sales, which "increased the total value of the sale to $147.5 million." The Biden administration rushed forward a sale of thousands of munitions to Israel earlier this month.
The administration bypassed the standard 20-day period that Congressional committees are typically given to review such a sale. It was found that the State Department sent an emergency declaration to the oversight committees. It noted that more than 13,000 tank shells would be delivered to Israel without any "further information, details, or assurances," as per CNN.
At the time, a State Department spokesperson said that they continued to be clear with the government of Israel's need to comply with "international humanitarian law. He added that the Middle Eastern nation must take every possible step to avoid harming civilians amid its fight with Hamas.
The department noted that the United States is committed to the security of Israel as it is considered vital to U.S. national interests. Blinken's previous decision of a similar transaction was worth roughly $106 million.
The two incidents come as Joe Biden is requesting a nearly $106 billion aid package for the Middle Eastern country as well as for Ukraine. The money would also be used for other national security needs but the proposal has remained stalled in Congress.
Bypassing Congressional Review
It has been caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. Some Democratic lawmakers have also spoken of making the proposed $14.3 billion in American assistance to Israel contingent on concrete steps by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza, according to PBS News Hour.
The State Department has said that it has been in constant communication with Israel to emphasize the importance of minimizing civilian casualties. The efforts were made to counter potential criticism of the sale on human rights grounds.
The State Department has argued that Hamas hides behind civilians and that the militant group has embedded itself among the civilian population. Officials said that this does not lessen Israel's responsibility and strategic imperative to distinguish between civilians and militants amid its military operations in Gaza.
Emergency determination has been used in the past, including then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for an $8.1 billion sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Jordan, said The Guardian.
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