US bypasses congressional review to green-light sale of artillery projectiles to Israel
Washington, D.C. (Quds News Network) – In a move bypassing congressional review, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has given the nod for the sale of 155 mm artillery shells and associated equipment to Israel, the Pentagon announced on Friday.
The decision to forego the customary congressional review was based on Blinken’s determination that an urgent situation necessitated the immediate provision of artillery resources to Israel, sources the Pentagon told Reuters agency.
The Pentagon disclosed that Israel had specifically requested the inclusion of fuzes, primers, and charges in a prior requisition for 155mm shells. The overall estimated value of the emergency sale stands at a staggering $147.5 million.
This marks the second instance this month where the Biden administration has chosen to sidestep the traditional congressional review process for arms sales to Israel. On December 9th, emergency authority was invoked to permit the sale of approximately 14,000 tank shells to Israel, underscoring the gravity of the situation in the region.
