US Approves $20 Billion Arms Deal for Israel
MILITARISM, 19 Aug 2024
Natalie Venegas and Jon Jackson | Newsweek - TRANSCEND Media Service
13 Aug 2024 – The United States today approved more than $20 billion in weapons sales to Israel.
Reuters reported that the move was approved by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The deal reportedly includes F-15 fighter jets and nearly 33,000 tank cartridges.
According to the Associated Press (AP), Congress was notified about the sale prior to a public announcement from the U.S. Department of State. The sale is said to include more than 50 F-15 fighter jets; Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, or AMRAAMs; 120 mm tank ammunition and high explosive mortars; and military vehicles.
“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the State Department said in a statement about the sale. “This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives.”
However, the weapons are not expected to get to Israel anytime soon as the contracts are expected to take years to fulfill, with first deliveries expected in 2029, the AP reported.
In addition, the contracts will include upgrade kits for Israel to modify its existing fleet of two dozen F-15 fighter jets with new engines and radars, among other upgrades. This represents the biggest portion of the $20 billion in sales.
Newsweek has reached out to the State Department via email for comment.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) looks on as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives statements to the media inside The Kirya, which houses the Israeli Defence Ministry, after their meeting in Tel Aviv…
Photo by JACQUELYN MARTIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Israeli officials estimate that around 1,200 people were killed in Hamas‘ initial attack on October 7, 2023, which sparked the war in Gaza. About 240 people were also taken hostage during the attack, around half of whom are believed to still be in the captivity of Hamas and allied Palestinian factions. Israel has also said that more than 320 IDF soldiers have been killed in the ensuing ground offensive.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Health Ministry based in Hamas-led Gaza has counted more than 39,600 people killed and wounded more than 92,000 others in the Palestinian territory since the war began.
Even while pushing for a ceasefire, President Joe Biden‘s administration has remained firm in its support of its ally Israel despite protests throughout the U.S. over the war.
However, the Biden administration continues to face increasing pressure from both lawmakers and the American public to reconsider its military support for Israel, as the civilian casualties in Gaza increase.
It comes as the administration decided to recently delay the delivery of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, citing concerns over ongoing airstrikes in densely populated areas in Gaza, the AP reported.
Tags: Arms Industry, Arms Trade, Catastrophe Capitalism, Genocide, Hegemony, Imperialism, Israel, MENA, NATO, Palestine, Pentagon, USA, Ukraine, War Economy
DISCLAIMER: The statements, views and opinions expressed in pieces republished here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of TMS. In accordance with title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. TMS has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is TMS endorsed or sponsored by the originator. “GO TO ORIGINAL” links are provided as a convenience to our readers and allow for verification of authenticity. However, as originating pages are often updated by their originating host sites, the versions posted may not match the versions our readers view when clicking the “GO TO ORIGINAL” links. This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
Join the discussion!
We welcome debate and dissent, but personal — ad hominem — attacks (on authors, other users or any individual), abuse and defamatory language will not be tolerated. Nor will we tolerate attempts to deliberately disrupt discussions. We aim to maintain an inviting space to focus on intelligent interactions and debates.