Democrats angry at Biden administration for once again bypassing Congress on Israel weapons
Senate Democrats Criticize Biden Administration’s Second Emergency Weapons Sale to Israel
Senate Democrats are furious with the Biden administration for bypassing Congress once again to send weapons to Israel, raising concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Defense Department announced on Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had informed Congress about the second emergency determination, covering over $147.5 million in equipment sales. This includes new fuses and chargers for the Israeli military’s 155 mm shells.
“Given the urgency of Israel’s defensive needs, the secretary notified Congress that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine an emergency existed, necessitating the immediate approval of the transfer,” stated Blinken.
This emergency determination allows the Biden administration to waive the usual congressional review process for foreign military sales.
However, this is the second time the Biden administration has authorized an emergency weapons sale to Israel without congressional approval. Just a few weeks ago, on December 9, Blinken used the same powers to push through a separate $106.5 million funding for tank ammunition.
Senate Democrats have criticized these back-to-back emergency declarations, expressing concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza. They argue that authorizing weapons funding for a foreign military without involving Congress removes an essential check on the executive branch.
“Unnecessarily bypassing Congress means keeping the American people in the dark,” said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA). “We need a public explanation of the rationale behind this decision — the second such decision this month.”
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) also condemned the Biden administration’s decision, stating that it undermines transparency and weakens accountability.
Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) highlighted the devastating impact of the weapons sent to Israel, contributing to the death and injury of countless civilians and the displacement of millions of people in Gaza.
As Senate Democrats push for conditions on U.S. military aid, including adherence to international armed conflict laws, President Biden’s request for foreign military aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and Indo-Pacific partners remains stalled in the Senate due to negotiations on a border security bill.
How do Senate Democrats believe the provision of more weapons to Israel could exacerbate the conflict between Israel and Palestine?
In foreign military sales to Israel. This sale comes just months after a similar emergency weapons sale was approved by the Biden administration in May.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from Senate Democrats who argue that the Biden administration should not be taking such actions without congressional approval. Senator Bernie Sanders expressed his frustration, stating, ”The United States must stop supplying weapons to Israel. At a moment when U.S.-made bombs are devastating Gaza, and killing women and children, we cannot simply let another huge arms sale go through without even a Congressional debate”.
The concern among Senate Democrats stems from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, which intensified in May when Hamas, the militant group controlling Gaza, launched missiles towards Israel. Israel responded with a military offensive in Gaza, resulting in the death of numerous Palestinians, including children, and the displacement of thousands.
Human rights organizations and international bodies have condemned Israel’s actions, accusing them of disproportionate force and violation of international humanitarian law. In this context, the decision by the Biden administration to proceed with another emergency weapons sale to Israel raises concerns about exacerbating an already dire situation.
Senate Democrats argue that the U.S. needs to play a more active role in de-escalating the conflict and working towards a negotiated peace settlement. They believe that the provision of more weapons to Israel without a comprehensive assessment of the situation only contributes to the cycle of violence and undermines U.S. credibility as a mediator in the region.
Moreover, Democrats argue that the continued supply of weapons to Israel sends a message that the U.S. implicitly supports Israeli actions, even when they are seen as human rights violations by many. This could further damage the reputation and standing of the U.S. in the international community, particularly in the Middle East.
Some members of Congress have called for stronger oversight and involvement in arms sales, particularly in emergency cases. They emphasize the need for Congress to have a say in such decisions in order to ensure that U.S. arms are not contributing to human rights abuses or prolonging conflicts.
While the Biden administration maintains that the emergency weapons sale to Israel is justified by the need to support the country’s defense against security threats, Senate Democrats demand a more comprehensive approach that takes into account the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and promotes a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Ultimately, the debate over the Biden administration’s second emergency weapons sale to Israel highlights the larger issue of congressional oversight and the role of the U.S. in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. Senate Democrats argue that the U.S. should not unilaterally decide to supply weapons in emergency situations without proper consultation and assessment of the consequences. Only through a balanced approach that considers both security concerns and human rights can lasting peace be achieved in the region.
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