Trump administration backs big arms sales to Israel, defying Congress

Authored by jpost.com and submitted by NotSoSaneExile

US President Donald Trump's administration announced on Friday that it had approved military sales to Israel worth some $7.4 billion, despite a Democratic lawmakers' request that the sale be paused until he received more information.

The Department of Defense announced that the State Department had approved a package for Israel worth an estimated $6.75 billion that included munitions, guidance kits and fuses with Boeing Co among the principal contractors.

The United States is planning military sales to Israel worth an estimated $7.4 billion that will include missiles and munitions, the Pentagon said on Friday amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza.

Former US President Joe Biden's administration had notified Congress of a proposed $8 billion arms sale to Israel in January, two US officials said at the time, ahead of Republican Donald Trump taking office on Jan. 20.

Trump has pledged to back Israel and, in a surprise announcement earlier this week, said that he expected Gaza to be taken over by the United States.

On Friday, the Pentagon said the State Department had approved a package worth an estimated $6.75 billion that included munitions, guidance kits and fuses with Boeing the principal contractors. A F-15 fighter jet flies during a graduation ceremony for Israeli Air Force pilots at Hatzerim Airbase, in southern Israel, June 29, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/AMIR COHEN)

It also detailed a deal estimated at $660 million to sell Hellfire Missiles in which Lockheed Martin would be the principal contractor.

Arms sales need approval from House of Representatives and Senate committees.

sweetjenso on February 8th, 2025 at 08:37 UTC »

Hey guys, I’m starting to think the lesser of two evils was maybe less evil…

NotSoSaneExile on February 7th, 2025 at 23:13 UTC »

The U.S. plans to sell Israel $7.4 billion in military equipment, including missiles and munitions, pending congressional approval.

The package includes $6.75 billion for munitions and guidance kits from Boeing and $660 million for Hellfire Missiles from Lockheed Martin.

Former President Biden had proposed an $8 billion arms sale in January, before Trump took office.

I am guessing Israel wants to both restock, and have way larger ammunition reserves for the future, as one of the lessons following the multi-front war declared on it.

GiantEnemaCrab on February 7th, 2025 at 23:12 UTC »

And yet Gaza protestors are completely silent. Not unlike the droids on Naboo after Anakin blew up their control ship, Trump winning has them completely shut off.