The Biden administration sidesteps Congress in sending weapons to Israel for a second time

The Biden administration has decided to bypass Congress to provide emergency weapons to Israel in its war with Hamas. This is the second time the Biden administration has bypassed Congress this month.

According to the Associated Press, the Biden administration has come under international scrutiny for its continued support of Israel. Earlier this month, Biden's team sidestepped Congress in order to provide Israel with tank shells in the ongoing conflict.

However, it was also reported that the U.S. had been providing weapons and failing to carry out continued assessments of whether war crimes were being committed by Israel. In November, the International Criminal Court had been asked by humanitarian groups to investigate the Jewish state for possible war crimes.

The State Department said on Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had informed Congress that a second military package was being sent to aid Israel, which amounted to a $147.5 million sale. The package included fuses, charges, and primers, which are needed to operate the 155 mm shells that the Jewish state previously purchased.

“Given the urgency of Israel’s defensive needs, the secretary notified Congress that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine an emergency existed necessitating the immediate approval of the transfer,” a State Department spokesperson said, according to NBC News.

“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to ensure Israel is able to defend itself against the threats it faces. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives."

The AP reported that this purchase will "bypass the congressional review requirement for foreign military sales," adding that this determination is rare but not unprecedented.

Though there has been criticism of the sale of weapons on the basis of human rights, the State Department claimed it has been in constant communication with Israel and insisting that it is important to minimize civilian casualties. However, civilian casualties have skyrocketed since Israel responded to Hamas' terrorist attacks on October 7.

“We continue to strongly emphasize to the government of Israel that they must not only comply with international humanitarian law, but also take every feasible step to prevent harm to civilians,” the State Department said.

“Hamas hides behind civilians and has embedded itself among the civilian population, but that does not lessen Israel’s responsibility and strategic imperative to distinguish between civilians and Hamas terrorists as it conducts its military operations."

“This type of campaign can only be won by protecting civilians.”

It is uncertain how Israel intends to minimize the death of civilians while eliminating Hamas terrorists.

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