Blinken defends bypassing Congress to sell weapons to Israel and presses lawmakers to help Ukraine

Secretary of State Antony Blinken defended the emergency arms sale to Israel because Israel was engaged in combat with Hamas in Gaza. The need to support Israel’s military operations against Hamas was considered a justification for bypassing Congress in this specific case.

The emergency arms sale to Israel included nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition and related support. This was part of a larger military sales package to Israel, but the tank ammunition was the focus of the emergency sale.

Blinken called for quick congressional approval of more than $100 billion in aid not only for Israel but also for Ukraine and other national security priorities. This was seen as essential to ensure that these countries had the necessary resources for their defense and security, especially in the context of ongoing conflicts and geopolitical concerns.

The larger aid package for Israel and Ukraine faced delays and debate in Congress due to discussions surrounding U.S. immigration policy and border security. This delay prompted the need for the emergency arms sale to Israel to address immediate military needs.

The aid package is crucial for Ukraine because, as Blinken mentioned, funding for Ukrainian assistance was running out. Without adequate support, Ukraine would face challenges in defending itself, especially in the face of Russian aggression. It was emphasized that failing to provide this aid could allow Russia to act with impunity in Ukraine.

Senators had varying opinions on the aid package. While some, like Sen. Mitt Romney, expressed bipartisan agreement on the need to address border security, others, like Sen. JD Vance, questioned the justification for additional aid to Ukraine. Sen. Chris Murphy believed that the aid could significantly impact the outcome of the conflict, given Russia’s financial challenges in sustaining its war effort.

President Joe Biden expressed a willingness to make significant compromises to move the aid package forward. Blinken mentioned that the president was fully prepared to engage in discussions to facilitate its approval.

The United States supported Israel’s offensive by vetoing United Nations Security Council efforts to end the fighting. Additionally, it approved an emergency sale of over $100 million worth of tank ammunition to Israel. This support generated debate and discussions within Congress.

The emergency arms sale to Israel was significant as it highlighted the U.S. government’s commitment to providing immediate support to its allies in times of crisis. It also demonstrated the complexities and discussions surrounding the allocation of aid in a geopolitical context.