The Obama administration made a military agreement with Israel in 2016, guaranteeing the country $38 billion in arms over 10 years. Now, the Biden administration faces pressure to restrict arms shipments due to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The U.S. has long supported Israel to maintain its qualitative military edge over other countries in the Middle East. U.S. aid to Israel is opaque, with many approvals and deliveries occurring daily.
President Biden has resisted putting limits on military aid to Israel, despite criticism of Israel’s war campaign. The U.S. has been supplying weapons to Israel as part of previously approved orders, but plans for additional arms aid have faced delays in Congress. The State Department has a legal loophole that allows it not to disclose arms orders below a certain dollar value, leading to criticism from congressional officials.
The process of delivering arms to Israel involves purchasing directly from U.S. weapons makers and fulfilling orders over several years. Recent arms requests from Israel include enhancements to defend against threats beyond Hamas, such as Hezbollah and other Iran-backed militias. The Biden administration has faced internal dissent over arms transfers, with concerns raised about Israel’s commitment to international law despite assurances provided.
Israel has placed new arms orders since the Gaza conflict, some of which have required congressional review. Secretary of State Blinken used emergency authority to approve some orders, bypassing legislative oversight. The Biden administration is seeking approval for a significant order of F-15 jets from Israel and pressuring Democratic lawmakers to support it. Israel is also expected to order F-35 jets soon.
Critics of U.S. military aid to Israel argue that it has created a sense of entitlement among Israelis and increased their dependence on the U.S. for deterrence against regional threats. The Biden administration is under pressure to use the leverage of military aid to shape Israeli behavior. While there have been internal concerns raised within the State Department about compliance with international law, Secretary Blinken accepted Israel’s assurances of commitment.
Overall, the controversy over U.S. arms shipments to Israel reflects the complex dynamics of the U.S.-Israel relationship and the challenges of balancing support for a key ally with concerns over human rights and international law. The Biden administration faces a delicate balancing act as it navigates demands to restrict arms shipments to Israel while maintaining strategic support for the country’s defense needs.
