With Boeing Co. as one of the main contractors, the Department of Defense declared that the State Department had authorized a package for Israel valued at an estimated $6.75 billion that included munitions, guidance kits, and fuses.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Friday that it has authorized military sales to Israel totaling approximately $7.4 billion, even though a Democratic member had asked that the sale be put on hold until he had more information.With Boeing Co. as one of the main contractors, the Department of Defense declared that the State Department had authorized a package for Israel valued at an estimated $6.75 billion that included munitions, guidance kits, and fuses.
Additionally, it described a $660 million agreement to provide Israel Hellfire missiles, with Lockheed Martin serving as the principal contractor.
The news was made when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Washington for discussions with members of Congress, Trump, and administration officials.
The leading Democrat on the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Gregory Meeks, criticized the move as breaking a long-standing congressional approval tradition for such arms sales.
He claimed that he had been talking to the government about his worries regarding the transaction, but that they had not offered any convincing evidence or explanation.
"I continue to support Israel’s critical military needs as it faces a range of regional threats and was engaged in close consultation with the Administration on a range of questions and concerns," Meeks stated in a statement.
He claimed that Congress was not respected as a coequal arm of government in this judgment. "In the United States we do not have kings - we are a democracy rooted in the Constitution, governed by laws," Meeks stated.
A request for comment was not immediately answered by the White House.
According to two U.S. officials at the time, the administration of former President Joe Biden had informed Congress in January about a possible arms deal to Israel worth $8 billion. This was in line with a long-standing custom that before formally notifying Congress of a sale, the chairs and ranking members of the Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs Committees should have a chance to examine the transaction and request additional information.
January 20 marked the start of Trump's second term.
LATEST CONGRESS PUSHBACK
Trump and Netanyahu have developed a tight relationship, with Trump promising to provide Israel with strong support in its assault against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This week, Netanyahu surprised the world by declaring that he anticipated the United States will occupy Gaza.
In the first two weeks of his second term, Trump has been challenged in court for activities that his opponents claim violate Congress, including his attempts to abolish the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Trump has previously circumvented the weapons review procedure. He infuriated both Democrats and Republicans in 2019 during his first term when he declared a national emergency to ignore human rights concerns about the sale of more than $8 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
The leading Democrat on the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Gregory Meeks, criticized the move as breaking a long-standing congressional approval tradition for such arms sales.
He claimed that he had been talking to the government about his worries regarding the transaction, but that they had not offered any convincing evidence or explanation.
"I continue to support Israel’s critical military needs as it faces a range of regional threats and was engaged in close consultation with the Administration on a range of questions and concerns," Meeks stated in a statement.
He claimed that Congress was not respected as a coequal arm of government in this judgment. "In the United States we do not have kings - we are a democracy rooted in the Constitution, governed by laws," Meeks stated.
A request for comment was not immediately answered by the White House.
According to two U.S. officials at the time, the administration of former President Joe Biden had informed Congress in January about a possible arms deal to Israel worth $8 billion. This was in line with a long-standing custom that before formally notifying Congress of a sale, the chairs and ranking members of the Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs Committees should have a chance to examine the transaction and request additional information.
January 20 marked the start of Trump's second term.
LATEST CONGRESS PUSHBACK
Trump and Netanyahu have developed a tight relationship, with Trump promising to provide Israel with strong support in its assault against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This week, Netanyahu surprised the world by declaring that he anticipated the United States will occupy Gaza.
In the first two weeks of his second term, Trump has been challenged in court for activities that his opponents claim violate Congress, including his attempts to abolish the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Trump has previously circumvented the weapons review procedure. He infuriated both Democrats and Republicans in 2019 during his first term when he declared a national emergency to ignore human rights concerns about the sale of more than $8 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
Some U.S. politicians are concerned about human rights because of the war's toll on civilians in Gaza.
On October 7, 2023, gunmen headed by Hamas assaulted Israel, killing almost 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostage.
Israel responded by starting a war in Gaza that has destroyed the enclave and killed over 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
On October 7, 2023, gunmen headed by Hamas assaulted Israel, killing almost 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostage.
Israel responded by starting a war in Gaza that has destroyed the enclave and killed over 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
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