Posted on 12/09/2023 1:01:47 PM PST by 11th_VA
The state department used an emergency declaration to sell $106.5m worth of ammo for Israel’s Merkava tanks
The Biden administration has used an emergency authority to allow the sale of about 14,000 tank shells to Israel without congressional review, the Pentagon said on Saturday.
The state department on Friday used an Arms Export Control Act emergency declaration for the tank rounds worth $106.5m for immediate delivery to Israel, the Pentagon said in a statement.
The shells are part of a bigger sale that was first reported by Reuters on Friday that the Biden administration is asking the US Congress to approve. The larger package is worth more than $500m and includes 45,000 shells for Israel’s Merkava tanks, regularly deployed in its offensive in Gaza, which has killed thousands of civilians.
Rights advocates expressed concern over the sale, saying it doesn’t align with Washington’s effort to press Israel to minimize civilian casualties.
A state department official said on Saturday that Washington continues to be clear with the Israeli government that it must comply with international humanitarian law and take every feasible step to avoid harm to civilians.
The proposed sale conveys the US commitment to Israel’s security and it will bolster that country’s defensive capabilities, the official said.
The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, determined and provided detailed justification to Congress that the tank shells must immediately be provided to Israel in the national security interests of the US, according to the Pentagon statement.
The sale will be from US army inventory and consist of 120mm M830A1 MPAT tank cartridges and related equipment.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
Israel gets the ammunition it needs
Israel pays for it
And Joe owns it - pissing of the Hamas wing of the Democrat Party
You won’t find a bigger supporter of Israel than me.
However, I am bothered that this was done unilaterally and without Congressional oversight.
Why not do the same for Ukraine?
And the Ukes don’t care since they got no tanks left.
“However, I am bothered that this was done unilaterally and without Congressional oversight.”
Congress has abrogated all of their power. They just want to get paid.
Congress wasn’t needed because money wasn’t appropriated (I assume)
Ukraine would have to pay for it - unless we give an endless amount of student loans ...
We are being forced to buy EV without a vote.
14,000?
With the money we give them.
Not necessarily. Israel has over a 500 billion dollar GDP. We may give them 3 billion per year. They can probably afford their own tank shells.
This is a preview for not funding Ukraine.
Ukraine just has to promise to “pay later”.
I agree. I'm sure they can.
As I've often pointed out, Israel's security doesn't require our money.
Israel doesn't take our money because it needs it. Israel takes our money because it can. Its lobby is that powerful.
But the U.S. is suffering massive debts. A True Friend would say, "Hey, keep your money. You've done so much already, and you need your money more than me."
Well, that's what a True Friend would say.
the law provides for such emergency provisions as this
i am pleasantly surprised after listening to all the BullShit coming out of administration
thank you Mr. Biden
(Congress has itself tied up in knots again by connecting this to measures that the majority of members oppose, the idea is an old one...alas...if something won’t pass Congress, tie it to a very popular bill that has broad based support and see if it can “piggy back” along.. in short, the old political game ... which imho reeks of corruption but anyway it is an old trick on Cap Hill and part of the reason wny our government is so damned dysfunctional)
Biden administration and emergency authority two of the most dangerous words will be used in the next year.
Democrats have to much to lose fasten seat belt.
Then it’s true about Biden:
He sells tank shells by the sea shore!
There are no “friends” in politics or finance. We give Israel a little money to exert influence. There is a quid pro quo going on here, much of which is probably undisclosed.
But you’re correct: US finances are a hot mess. I can recommend that you put a little into gold as an insurance against what is surely to come.
One guesses that this is theatre and somehow might serve to legitimize "emergency authority" for other, less compelling purposes.
All my guesses, corrections invited.
Mike Johnson Wants to adhear to the agreed spending limits; therefore, he wants Israeli aid paid for from money that is going to the IRS - the RATs want to exceed agreed spending limits
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