President Joe Biden must advance long-delayed weapons sales to Israel amid increasing threats from Iran and its terrorist proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) urged.
“We all wish Israel did not need these larger bombs, but they are operationally necessary as Israel’s enemies, including Hamas and Hezbollah, are intentionally using deeply buried subterranean bunkers and tunnels,” Rep. McCaul wrote in a recent letter sent to Biden. “I call on you to allow these weapons, which are ready to ship, to be sent to Israel immediately.”
As chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. McCaul signs off on all major weapons sales and his committee has jurisdiction over global arms sales policy. He wrote that along with members of Congress from both parties, they have previously raised serious concerns about the administration’s “unacceptable, politically motivated delays of weapons shipments to Israel.”
And while the administration has recently moved some previously delayed weapons packages to Israel, the congressman wrote that Biden is now delaying other arms exports, including 2,000-pound bombs held since the spring.
“These weapons are part of a package that I personally signed off on, and were paid for with congressionally appropriated funds,” he wrote. “It was reported the administration had halted this shipment due to concerns over an Israeli operation in Rafah; while the Rafah operation has concluded, the shipment is still blocked.”
Rep. McCaul also pointed out that he’s aware of more than 10 other weapons cases purchased via Direct Commercial Sale that have experienced “unusual, unexplained delays,” according to his letter.
“We must fulfill this commitment both to protect Israel’s security and to demonstrate our credibility as a reliable defense partner,” wrote Rep. McCaul. “Returning to normal processing and delivery timelines with respect to arms sales is urgently needed to compete against Russia and China.”