In brief
The Trump administration is evaluating a substantial arms transfer to Israel that has sparked bipartisan anxiety among U.S. lawmakers.
The Trump administration is contemplating sending 24,000 assault rifles to Israel, which were previously held back under the Biden administration’s orders. A U.S. official revealed this potential transfer, totaling around $34 million, had been stalled following concerns from Democratic lawmakers regarding the rifles' possible utilization by settler militias or the Israeli police in unjustified violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.The rifles, more than three-quarters of which are sourced from Colt’s Manufacturing, came into focus after the State Department informed two congressional committees about the transaction shortly after the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. Those attacks incited fierce retaliatory military strikes by Israel on Gaza and heightened scrutiny regarding military support for Israel. Itamar Ben-Gvir, the former Israeli minister of national security known for his far-right beliefs, had previously expressed intentions to arm settlements and establish civilian militias to safeguard settler populations. This declaration intensified concerns among U.S. lawmakers who fear American-supplied arms could further exacerbate tensions and violence against Palestinians, as violence against them has surged in recent years.While the State Department has remained silent on inquiries regarding the arms transfer's status, the Israeli Embassy claimed it has addressed the concerns raised by U.S. officials. Democratic lawmakers have maintained a vigilant stance on matters involving U.S. weapons and their potential role in ongoing conflicts in the region, emphasizing the importance of accountability and the need to prevent misuse of arms.
