The Biden administration has opted to defer the sale of more than 20,000 U.S.-manufactured rifles destined for Israel, citing apprehensions regarding attacks carried out by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. This decision, disclosed by sources familiar with the matter on Wednesday, reveals a diplomatic pivot rooted in concerns about the potential misuse of the weapons in ongoing conflicts in the region.
The State Department had initiated an informal notification to Congress for the sale several weeks prior, yet despite having received clearance from the Senate Foreign Relations and House of Representatives Foreign Affairs committees in early November, the transaction has not progressed as anticipated. The delay is attributed to heightened scrutiny from other members of Congress who, having become cognizant of the case, urged the administration to secure assurances from Israel that the firearms would not be channeled to settlers.
A former U.S. official familiar with the intricacies of the sale elucidated that the administration is actively engaged in dialogue with Israel to obtain satisfactory assurances before formalizing the notification. Under the proposed license, there is the possibility that these firearms could be directed to Israeli police units, an aspect that has triggered human rights concerns within the Department. As of now, the State Department has not issued a formal comment on the status of the sale.
The specific concern voiced by the Biden administration centers on the potential transfer of these weapons to Israeli settlers. President Joe Biden and other high-ranking U.S. officials have consistently emphasized the imperative for Israel to take decisive action to curb violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. Against the backdrop of a surge in violence, reaching a more than 15-year high this year, especially following Israel’s military actions in response to a cross-border incident with Palestinian militant group Hamas, the administration is keenly focused on preventing the exacerbation of tensions.
Moreover, the Biden administration is closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds in the aftermath of a seven-day truce that concluded on December 1. Israel’s intensified strikes on the Gaza Strip during this phase, resulting in a significant number of casualties, have prompted increased scrutiny regarding the use of U.S. weapons in the conflict. Although U.S. officials maintain that there are no immediate plans to impose conditions on military aid to Israel or consider withholding it, the administration’s decision to delay the arms sale underscores a nuanced approach to the complexities of the ongoing conflict in the region.
The intricate web of diplomatic considerations involves not only the potential misuse of the weapons by Israeli settlers but also the broader implications for human rights and civilian safety. As the Biden administration navigates the delicate terrain of U.S.-Israel relations, the postponement of this arms sale stands as a tangible manifestation of the administration’s commitment to addressing the multifaceted challenges and concerns arising from the conflict in the Middle East.
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