An Israeli soldier holds a gun, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in the Gaza Strip, February 8, 2024. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/File Photo
U.S. Approves $7.4 Billion in Military Sales to Israel Amid Congressional Concerns
The Trump administration has approved military sales to Israel worth approximately $7.4 billion, despite objections from Democratic lawmakers who requested more information before the deal proceeded.
The Department of Defense announced on Friday that the State Department had cleared two major sales:
- A $6.75 billion package including munitions, guidance kits, and fuses, with Boeing Co. as a principal contractor.
- A $660 million deal for Hellfire missiles, with Lockheed Martin as the main contractor.
The announcement coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, where he held meetings with President Donald Trump, administration officials, and members of Congress.
Congressional Pushback
Representative Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, condemned the administration’s circumvention of standard congressional review procedures for major arms sales.
- Meeks argued that the administration had not provided adequate documentation or justification for the sale.
- He criticized the decision as a breach of constitutional checks and balances, stating:
“In the United States, we do not have kings—we are a democracy rooted in the Constitution, governed by laws.”
The White House has not yet responded to these concerns.
Deviation from Standard Procedure
In January, the Biden administration had previously notified Congress of a proposed $8 billion arms sale to Israel, allowing for congressional review before formal approval. However, the Trump administration bypassed this process, expediting the sale without congressional oversight.
Trump has a history of circumventing Congress on arms sales. During his first term, he invoked a national emergency in 2019 to override human rights-related objections and approve an $8 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan.
Trump’s Strong Support for Israel
Trump has strengthened ties with Netanyahu and pledged unwavering support for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
- The U.S. President shocked global leaders this week by suggesting that Gaza should be taken over by the United States after the war.
- The escalating civilian toll in Gaza has led to increased scrutiny from lawmakers and human rights groups.
Background on the Gaza Conflict
The current war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen launched an attack on Israel, resulting in:
- 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of more than 250 hostages.
In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza, which has:
- Killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
- Devastated infrastructure and led to a worsening humanitarian crisis.
The $7.4 billion arms sale underscores Trump’s commitment to Israel, but it has also sparked political controversy over executive overreach and Congress’ role in foreign arms deals. With ongoing legal challenges to Trump’s policies, this sale adds to the broader debate on U.S. military support for Israel and the Biden-era precedent of congressional oversight in arms transfers.
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