White House makes emergency weapons sale to Israel, bypassing Congress again – By Matthew Lee (Associated Press) / Dec 29, 2023
For the second time this month, the Biden administration is bypassing Congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel. On Friday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an emergency determination of $147.5 million in equipment for Israel.
For the second time this month, the Biden administration is bypassing Congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel as Israel continues to prosecute its war against Hamas in Gaza under increasing international criticism.
The State Department said Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had told Congress that he had made a second emergency determination covering a $147.5 million sale for equipment, including fuses, charges and primers, that is needed to make the 155 mm shells that Israel has already purchased function.
“Given the urgency of Israel’s defensive needs, the secretary notified Congress that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine an emergency existed necessitating the immediate approval of the transfer,” the department said.
