FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
For the second time this month, the Biden administration is bypassing Congress to approve an emergency arms sale to Israel, as Israel continues to prosecute its war against Hamas in Gaza under growing international criticism.
The State Department said Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had told Congress that he had made a second emergency decision covering a $147.5 million sale of military equipment.
" Given the urgency of Israel's defense needs, the secretary notified Congress that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine that an emergency existed requiring immediate approval of the transfer. The United States is committed to Israel's security, and it is vital to the US national interest to ensure that Israel is able to defend itself against the threats it faces ," the State Department said.
The emergency designation means the purchase will bypass a congressional review requirement for foreign military sales. Such determinations are rare, but not unprecedented, when administrations see an urgent need to surrender weapons without waiting for lawmakers' approval.
Blinken made a similar decision on Dec. 9 to approve the sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition valued at more than $106 million.
Both moves come as President Joe Biden's request for a nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs remains deadlocked in Congress.
Lini një Përgjigje