US Agrees to Send More Bombs and Warplanes to Israel
The US government has in recent days quietly approved billions of dollars worth of fighter jets and bombs for delivery to Israel, according to two sources who spoke to the Washington Post....
Facts
- The US government has in recent days quietly approved billions of dollars worth of fighter jets and bombs for delivery to Israel, according to two sources who spoke to the Washington Post.1
- The account was confirmed by sources who spoke to Reuters. Both publications reported that Israel will receive 1.8K MK84 and 500 MK82 bombs. The former is a 2K-pound bomb, while the latter is a 500-pound explosive.2
- Israel is also set to receive 25 F-35A fighter jets and engines worth roughly $2.5B, according to US officials.1
- The approvals come as Israel faces international criticism over its continued bombing campaign and ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The US is also facing increased pressure to limit and condition its arms sales to Israel.3
- Despite tensions between the two countries on how Israel should conduct its operations in Gaza coming to the forefront in recent weeks — including Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu canceling a trip to Washington after the US refused to veto a related UN Security Council resolution — US officials said they would not withhold military aid over disagreements in policy.1
- 'We have continued to support Israel’s right to defend itself,' a White House official told the Washington Post. 'Conditioning aid has not been our policy.'1
Sources: 1Washington Post, 2Reuters and 3Guardian.
Narratives
- Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Washington Post. While the US and Israel have disagreed about how it should carry out its offensive in Gaza, Israel remains America's strongest ally in the Middle East. As such, the US must not impede Israel's right and ability to defend itself. Making Israel jump through various hoops before it receives aid is not the US policy.
- Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by AA. How can US officials call on Israel to limit the humanitarian impact of its bombing one moment, while proceeding to deliver thousand-pound bombs the next? This is obscene behavior, makes the US complicit in these crimes, and is not an effective way to get Israel to comply with international law.
