President Joe Biden Approves Emergency Sale of Tanks to Israel

Editorial Team, CNBC Indonesia

Sunday, 10/12/2023 06:40 WIB

Photo: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on funding for Ukraine from the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, December 6, 2023, in Washington. (AP/Evan Vucci)

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – President Joe Biden’s administration said on Saturday (9/12/2023) that it had approved the emergency sale of nearly 14,000 pieces of ammunition and tanks worth more than US$106 million to Israel as Israel intensifies its military operations in the southern Gaza Strip.

The move comes as President Joe Biden’s request for a nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security interests is pending in Congress, and caught up in debates over US immigration policy and border security.

Some Democratic lawmakers have stated that America’s proposed $14.3 billion in aid to its Middle Eastern allies is contingent on concrete steps taken by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu’s government has promised to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the war with Hamas.

The US State Department said it had notified Congress of the sale late Friday after Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined “an emergency exists that requires an immediate sale” of these weapons in the interests of US national security.

That means the purchase would bypass congressional review requirements for sales of foreign military equipment. Such decisions are rare, but not unprecedented, when the government sees an urgent need to send arms without waiting for parliamentarians’ approval.

“The United States is committed to Israel’s security, and it is critical to US national interests to help Israel develop and maintain a robust and ready-to-use self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with that goal,” the US State Department said in an official statement quoted from CNA.

“Israel will use the increased capabilities as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its internal defense,” the statement said.

The sale is valued at US$106.5 million and includes 13,981 120 mm High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer tank cartridges as well as engineering and logistics support from the US. The equipment will come from the Army inventory.

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