US President Joe Biden’s administration informed Congress of a $1 billion weapons package for Israel, sourced from a $95 billion defense support package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The deal came after Biden threatened to withhold weapons over concerns of an assault on Rafah, a Gaza city with many Palestinian refugees.
Congress must approve the weapons package, which includes tank ammunition and tactical vehicles. The Biden administration, while critical of Israel, remains committed to supporting its security, citing recent assistance in shooting down Iranian drones.
Critics point out that the administration has sent weapons without public knowledge, avoiding congressional notification. The administration has paused a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs and is in discussions with Israel about their use in densely populated areas. Despite potential backlash from left-leaning members of Congress, the overall weapons sale passed with overwhelming support from the Republican Party.
