Trump Administration Moves Forward with $8 Billion Arms Sales to Israel
The U.S. State Department plans to sell over $8 billion in weapons to Israel after President Trump's meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, bypassing congressional review.
The U.S. State Department has formally notified Congress regarding its intention to proceed with the sale of more than $8 billion in arms to Israel. This move came just days after former President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which he proposed transforming the Gaza Strip into a "Riviera of the Middle East." The arms package includes sales of 3,000 Hellfire missiles valued at $660 million and additional bombs and guidance kits worth $6.75 billion. Notably, the decision to move ahead with these sales took place despite ongoing informal reviews in Congress, sparking criticism from some lawmakers who argue this undermines legislative oversight. Representative Gregory W. Meeks, the leading Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, voiced concerns about the lack of transparency and documentation regarding the arms sale, characterizing it as an infringement on Congressional authority. While there is bipartisan support for Israel’s military needs, the current administration's actions have raised alarms about Congress being sidelined in pivotal defense decisions.
The U.S. State Department plans to sell over $8 billion in weapons to Israel after President Trump's meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, bypassing congressional review.
The U.S. State Department has formally notified Congress regarding its intention to proceed with the sale of more than $8 billion in arms to Israel. This move came just days after former President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which he proposed transforming the Gaza Strip into a "Riviera of the Middle East." The arms package includes sales of 3,000 Hellfire missiles valued at $660 million and additional bombs and guidance kits worth $6.75 billion. Notably, the decision to move ahead with these sales took place despite ongoing informal reviews in Congress, sparking criticism from some lawmakers who argue this undermines legislative oversight. Representative Gregory W. Meeks, the leading Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, voiced concerns about the lack of transparency and documentation regarding the arms sale, characterizing it as an infringement on Congressional authority. While there is bipartisan support for Israel’s military needs, the current administration's actions have raised alarms about Congress being sidelined in pivotal defense decisions.
