US OKs $106M emergency tank sale to Israel

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Israel War 2023

E Katherine Donlevy

The Biden administration approved an “emergency purchase” on Saturday to send nearly 14,000 boxes of anti-tank missiles to Israel as it escalates its attacks on the Gaza Strip.

The Department of State approved the bulk of the shipment – more than $ 106 million – in a move that allowed Congress to be intimidated.

“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is essential to the interests of the American nation to help Israel develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense force. This planned sale consistent with those expectations,” the department said in a statement.

“Israel will use the increased capability as a deterrent to regional threats and strengthen its national defense,” it added.

For a cost of $106.5 million, Israel will receive 13,981 120 mm High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer tank cartridges as well as US support, engineering and logistics, all of which will come from the Army inventory.

Congress was notified of the sale late Friday after Secretary of State Antony Blinken described an “emergency” in the war in the Middle East that could affect the government’s interests. America.

The rush allowed Biden officials to sell the weapon without the usual congressional review required for foreign military purchases.

Although it is rare, impulse buying is not unprecedented. In 2019, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sold $8.1 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan when it became clear that the Trump administration would have difficulty addressing the concerns of the lawmakers about the Saudi-UAE war. in Yemen.

The sale came just days after the Biden administration asked Congress to approve nearly $106 billion in aid for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs.

A large part of the money will go to the military and economic aid to Ukraine, saying that Kyiv’s important efforts to defend itself from Russian aggression may be stopped without it.

The administration faces a difficult situation on Capitol Hill, where doubts are growing about more aid for Ukraine and even Republicans who support the funding are pushing for changes to the law. US-Mexico halts the flow of migrants as a condition for aid.

The GOP-controlled House has passed a $14.3 billion aid package for Israel.

More than 1,200 Israelis were killed when Hamas launched its surprise attack in southern Israel on October 7, and 97 Israel Defense Force soldiers have died in the war since then.

As the war enters its third month, the death toll in Gaza exceeds 17,400, according to the Health Ministry of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

With Post cables