In brief
The Trump administration is reevaluating a decision to supply Israel with 24,000 assault rifles previously withheld due to concerns over their potential misuse, particularly by settler militias and police against Palestinians.
The Trump administration is reportedly considering the transfer of 24,000 assault rifles to Israel, a plan that was halted under former Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. The rifles, which are valued at approximately $34 million, were stalled after Democratic lawmakers raised red flags about their possible use in violence against Palestinians. The Israeli Embassy has claimed that they have since addressed these concerns with U.S. officials.The contention surrounding the rifle order arose following the deadly Hamas attacks in October 2023 which led to severe Israeli military actions in Gaza. Recently, Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right politician and former Israel Minister of National Security, advocated for arming settlements and forming civilian militias for settler protection, which heightened fears among U.S. lawmakers about the potential for American weaponry to exacerbate existing tensions.The State Department acknowledged that the order drew scrutiny among congressional committees after being informally notified about it. As negotiations continue, the outcome remains uncertain regarding whether the rifles will be sent to Israel, given the implications for stability in the region.
