'Israel' pressures Biden to expedite weapons during Netanyahu visit
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A Politico report reveals that "Israel" is intensifying pressure on the Biden administration and Congress to expedite approval for weapons systems, citing the need to bolster its stockpiles.
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President Joe Biden, right, talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on July 25, 2024. (AP)
"Israel" is privately intensifying pressure on the Biden administration and lawmakers on Capitol Hill to expedite weapons approval under the pretext of protecting itself from "Iran and its proxies," a report by Politico revealed.
According to Politico, the delegation accompanying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington this week is distributing a list to lawmakers and senior officials outlining the weapons systems they want expedited. Israeli representatives handed this list to members of Congress on Wednesday following Netanyahu's speech. A source familiar with the list mentioned that "Israel" needs these weapons to bolster its stockpiles.
"Israel's" current push for weapons suggests an effort to secure transfers and strengthen its stockpiles before the US election in November, wrote Politico. The stance of Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump on such requests remains uncertain if either is elected. However, "Israel" is motivated to obtain immediate approval from the current administration.
According to Politico, the list—cited by a person familiar with it—does not pertain to the 2,000-pound bombs the Biden administration suspended in May due to concerns about their potential use against civilians in Gaza's Rafah. Instead, the list focuses on other weapon systems.
'Israel' pushes for approval of unclassified seven weapons systems
In an interview on Thursday, House Foreign Affairs Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) confirmed that "Israel" is seeking support for the weapon transfers this week, noting that they include systems the administration had requested lawmakers to approve two months ago. McCaul and the source who detailed the list to Politico declined to specify the systems involved.
McCaul also noted that the chairs of the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees have given informal approval for the transfers. However, the administration has not yet requested formal congressional approval.
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“The four corners have all signed off on these seven weapons systems, and then after that our experience is with Israel, particularly in an emergency, we would have a formal notification where we sign it, and then the weapons are good to go,” McCaul said. “That hasn’t happened, and it typically would be a matter of days, and now it’s been two months, so it’s obvious they’re withholding them.”
Systems not to be provided due to security concerns: McCaul
McCaul mentioned that during the prime minister’s visit on Wednesday, Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, a close ally of Netanyahu, discussed the weapons with him. Additionally, Security Minister Yoav Gallant had previously brought up the issue with McCaul, urging for their transfer.
McCaul suggested that the administration might be delaying the sales to pressure Netanyahu into agreeing to a ceasefire. He also speculated that the administration could expedite the transfers while Congress is in recess, potentially circumventing lawmakers who might oppose the deals, according to Politico.
“I think the reason why is two-fold,” McCaul said. “One, I think it gives them leverage over Israel with these cease-fire negotiations, but I also think they’re very smart by waiting until we are out of session because then they won’t have any problems with a joint resolution of disapproval that any member [of Congress] can throw down.”
McCaul said he won’t provide the specific systems over security concerns.
“The Israelis are sensitive about it because it would reveal their battlefield plans,” he said. “If you reveal what they need, it reveals what they’re going to do from a battlefield standpoint.”
The source familiar with the list indicated that the systems are urgently needed because "Israel's" stockpiles have been depleted in recent months. Additionally, the occupation is concerned about the potential for more confrontations with Hezbollah along the Palestinian-Lebanese border.
Netanyahu stresses on 'delayed arms transfers'
In his speech, Netanyahu addressed the issue of delayed arms transfers, which he has previously criticized the Biden administration for.
“Give us the tools faster and we’ll finish the job faster,” Netanyahu said. “Israel will fight until we destroy Hamas’ military capabilities and its role in Gaza and bring all our hostages home. That’s what total victory means. And we will settle for nothing less.”
The administration, which has acknowledged withholding the 2,000-pound bombs over concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza, is denying that it is delaying other weapons.
Read next: Over 20,000 US bombs, missiles sent to 'Israel' since October: NYT
“There is no policy guidance to slow down transfers to Israel,” said a State Department official, who was granted anonymity to speak on sensitive internal matters. “We are looking tactically at the timing. It is not a question of whether, it is a question of when.”
The Israeli demand arrives amid a turbulent period in US politics as President Joe Biden shapes his agenda for the remaining months of his presidency and Vice President Kamala Harris intensifies her campaign efforts. Thus, the Biden administration is facing increasing criticism for its continued approval of weapons transfers, despite the escalating death toll in Gaza.
