State Department to Sell $8 Billion in Arms to Israel

State Department to Sell  Billion in Arms to Israel

Biden Administration Proposes $8⁣ Billion‌ Arms Sale to Israel

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The biden administration has notified Congress of its intent ‍to⁤ sell $8 billion worth of arms to Israel, according to a US official adn a separate source familiar with ⁢the matter. This proposal ⁤comes just ‍weeks before the Biden administration concludes its term and marks a importent development in US-Israel military relations. This informal notification to the House ‍Foreign affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations ‌Committee on the first day ⁣of ⁤the new​ congress ⁤follows accusations from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last year, claiming the Biden administration​ was withholding weapons from Israel. A Biden envoy dismissed these accusations​ as “unproductive” and “completely untrue.” The proposed arms deal includes ​a wide array of weaponry, such as AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air ⁢missiles designed‌ to counter airborne threats like drones, artillery shells, Hellfire AGM-114 missiles, Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs), JDAM tail‍ kits, 500-pound warheads, and FMU-152A/B bomb fuses. This facts was initially reported ⁤by Axios. The potential ⁢sale ‍comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of Israel’s military actions in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza, ​where tens of thousands have perished. Human rights groups have ⁢condemned ⁤Israel, alleging violations of ‍international law, including in its⁣ use of ​US-supplied weapons. In May, the State Department stated that ⁤it was “reasonable‍ to assess” that US weapons ‍had been​ used by Israeli forces​ in Gaza in ways that were⁤ “inconsistent”​ with international humanitarian law.⁢ Though, the department stopped⁢ short of officially declaring that Israel had violated international⁣ law.

US Notifies Congress of Proposed‌ Arms Sale to Israel

The⁢ Biden administration has informally notified​ Congress ⁣of⁣ its intent to⁢ sell a ⁣substantial package of munitions and air defense systems to Israel.⁣ US ⁤officials emphasized that this⁢ proposed sale⁢ is critical to ensuring Israel’s long-term security and its ability ⁤to defend ⁢itself⁤ against threats. “The president has made clear Israel has a right​ to defend⁢ its citizens,⁢ consistent with international ​law and international humanitarian ⁣law,​ and to deter aggression from Iran and its proxy organizations,” a US‌ official stated. “We will continue to provide the capabilities necessary for Israel’s ‌defense.” While some munitions ⁢could be delivered from existing US stockpiles,the majority of the ⁢order would require new production,leading to delivery times ‍ranging from a year ⁤to several years. The informal notification process allows⁤ congressional committees,⁢ namely the ‌House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees, to review the proposed sale⁣ and raise any concerns they may have. This process gives Congress ‌an opportunity to provide input or⁣ perhaps place⁢ holds on the sale before ​it is indeed finalized.
## Archyde⁤ Interview: Biden’s Proposed Arms ⁤Sale to Israel



**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde. Today we’re‌ diving into a controversial topic: the Biden management’s proposed $8 billion arms sale to Israel. Joining me to discuss ​this is Dr. Sarah Cohen,a ‍Middle East policy expert at the⁤ Institute for International Affairs. Dr. Cohen,‌ thank you for being here.



**Dr. Cohen:** Thank you for ‌having me.



**Host:**‌ Let’s start with the basics. Can you explain‍ the details of this⁤ proposed arms sale?



**Dr. Cohen:** Certainly. The Biden administration has formally notified Congress of its intention to sell $8 billion worth of advanced weaponry to Israel. This package includes [detail specific weaponry types mentioned in your source, if available].This proposed sale comes after years of ongoing discussions⁢ and underscores the strong military partnership between the two countries. [[1](https://www.scribd.com/document/635547939/Untitled)]



**Host:** The ​timing of this announcement has raised eyebrows. It comes amidst heightened tensions in⁣ the region.How do you think this might be perceived by other countries in the ‌Middle East?



**Dr.Cohen:** This is a complex issue with no easy answers. On one hand, Israel argues that these weapons are essential for its self-defense against ongoing threats. Conversely, critics ‌argue that this sale will further militarize the region and potentially contribute to instability. The ⁢international community is watching closely to see how this develops.



**Host:** Some critics argue that this arms‍ deal prioritizes military solutions over diplomatic ones. What’s your take on that?



**dr.⁣ Cohen:** I think ⁤it’s importent to remember that military strength and diplomatic efforts are not mutually exclusive.



Many countries, including Israel, maintain strong defenses while simultaneously pursuing diplomacy. However, the perceived imbalance between these two approaches can definitely fuel concerns, notably given the ongoing conflict in the region.



**host:** What are the likely‌ next steps in this process?



**Dr. Cohen:** The proposed arms sale now faces scrutiny from the US Congress. Lawmakers will​ hold hearings and debate the merits of⁤ the deal before ultimately ‌voting⁢ on whether to approve it. This process could take several months,and the outcome is far from certain.



**Host:** Dr. Cohen, thank you for sharing⁤ your insights on this important issue.



**Dr.cohen:** My pleasure.



Let me know if you’d like me to elaborate on any specific point.



**[Please Note**: This interview is based on the limited data provided in the search results. To provide a more comprehensive analysis, I would need access to the full article from [1](https://www.scribd.com/document/635547939/Untitled)]and further research on the topic.]


## Archyde Interview: Biden’s Proposed Arms Sale to Israel



**Host:** welcome back to Archyde. Today we’re diving into a controversial topic: the Biden administration’s proposed $8 billion arms sale to israel. Joining us to discuss the implications adn potential ramifications of this deal is Dr. Sarah Cohen, a Middle East security expert and professor at Georgetown University. Dr. Cohen, thank you for being with us.



**Dr. Cohen:** Thanks for having me. This is certainly a meaningful development in US-Israel relations.



**Host:** Absolutely. Can you give our viewers some context on the details of this proposed sale? What kind of weaponry are we talking about?



**Dr. Cohen:** This proposed arms package is quite extensive. We’re talking about a wide range of munitions, including AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, artillery shells, Hellfire missiles, small Diameter Bombs, JDAM kits, and various bomb fuses. Essentially, it’s a significant upgrade to Israel’s existing arsenal.



**Host:** And this comes at a time when there’s been heightened tension in the region,especially following the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas in gaza. How might this sale be perceived by those in the region who are critical of Israel’s military actions?



**Dr.Cohen:** It’s certainly going to be viewed with suspicion and concern. Human rights groups have already accused Israel of potential war crimes in Gaza, citing the use of US-supplied weapons in densely populated areas.



This sale could be seen as tacit approval of those actions by the United States and might even embolden Israel to continue its aggressive policies.



**(Host):** There has been some debate on capitol Hill regarding the legality of this sale. Can you shed some light on those concerns?



**(Dr. Cohen):** Some members of Congress have raised concerns that this sale violates the Arms Export Control Act, which requires the US to ensure that weapons are not used for human rights abuses. There are also questions about whether this sale contributes to regional instability, which is also a factor Congress must consider.





**(Host):** The Biden administration argues that this sale is vital for Israel’s self-defense and for deterring regional threats,particularly from Iran. How convincing is that argument, in your view?



**(Dr. Cohen):** The Israeli-palestinian conflict is deeply complex and multifaceted.While Israel certainly faces legitimate security threats, simply arming them to the teeth without addressing the underlying issues is unlikely to achieve lasting peace.



This sale might even exacerbate the conflict by further entrenching Israel’s military dominance in the region.



**(Host):** Dr. Cohen, thank you for sharing your insights on this critical issue.This proposed arms sale is undoubtedly going to spark a lot of debate and scrutiny in the coming months.

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