Trump Administration's $8 Billion Arms Deal with Israel Raises Concerns

The decision has drawn criticism from lawmakers who feel sidelined in the process.

The State Department has formally notified Congress of its intention to proceed with arms sales exceeding $8 billion to Israel, sparking controversy as it circumvents an ongoing informal review process in one House committee. This announcement coincided with President Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where Trump laid out plans to revitalize the Gaza Strip, referring to it as the potential “Riviera of the Middle East.”

On Thursday, the Pentagon confirmed the sale of 3,000 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles valued at $660 million, along with $6.75 billion worth of bombs and guidance kits. Notably, a separate deal concerning artillery shells did not require detailed public disclosure. The total arms package amounts to over $8 billion, which was initially announced by the Biden administration in January, subsequently sent to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for informal examination.

While Republican leaders in both committees expressed their support, Democrat Gregory W. Meeks raised concerns and demanded thorough scrutiny. Surprisingly, after over 20 days of review—within the standard timeframe for such cases—the State Department chose to advance the sales.

This decision is likely to be executed without obstacles since Congressional intervention would necessitate a two-thirds majority in both chambers. In response, Meeks condemned the administration's actions for undermining historic congressional authority and voiced his support for Israel's military needs, albeit with conditions. He expressed dismay that his requests for clarification and documentation had gone largely unanswered, accusing the administration of disregarding established practices.

Edward Wong, who covers global affairs and U.S. foreign policy, provides insight into the implications of this development on Israel-U.S. relations and broader regional stability.