The Trump administration approved the sale of more than 20,000 American-made assault rifles to Israel, pushing ahead with a previously stalled agreement under President Joe Biden over concerns that the weapons could be abused by extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
As per a document seen by Reuters and a person who knows the deal, the US State Department informed Congress on March 6 that it intends to go ahead with the $24 million weapons sale. The deal comprises Colt Carbine 5.56 mm automatic rifles, intended for the Israeli National Police.
Though relatively small compared to the billions in US military aid to Israel, the rifle sale had been raising eyebrows under Biden’s presidency. The Biden administration had suspended the sale due to fears that the guns would find their way to settlers who take part in violent attacks on Palestinians. It also placed sanctions on people and institutions alleged to be taking part or engaging in such acts in the West Bank.
Nonetheless, Trump rolled back those sanctions through an executive order on his first day returning to office, a dramatic turnabout in US policy. His administration has since moved rapidly to endorse further military sales to Israel.
The notice sent to the congress highlighted that the decision had considered “political, military, economic, human rights, and arms control considerations.” The US State Department, however, has not made any statements regarding whether it asked Israel for any formal assurances on the use and sharing of the rifles.
The sale follows mounting tensions in the West Bank, where settler attacks on Palestinians have been sharply escalating. The move has critics predicting it could further fan the flames of an already tense situation, and that human rights groups demand increased responsibility and regulation over arms shipments to conflict areas.