Senior Democrats in Congress have approved the sale of F-15 fighter jets to Israel after initially holding out. Representative Gregory W. Meeks, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, had previously expressed his opposition to the deal but has now given his approval. This decision comes after pressure from the Biden administration, which is pushing forward with an $18 billion arms sale to Israel.
The sale of F-15 jets to Israel, one of the largest U.S. arms sales in years, is set to move ahead as Representative Meeks and Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, Democrat of Maryland, have both agreed to allow the deal to proceed. While Representative Meeks had concerns about Israel’s tactics during its campaign in Gaza, he has decided to support the Biden administration’s plans. He emphasized the importance of pushing Israel to make improvements in humanitarian efforts and limit civilian casualties.
The formal consultation process with Congress has been completed, clearing the way for the State Department to officially notify Congress of the sale. This notification is the final step before the deal is sealed. While the State Department has not provided any comments on the arms orders or the timeline for notifying Congress, the sale is now moving forward.
Traditionally, Congressional approval for arms sales to Israel has been routine. However, recent months have seen a shift as Democrats in Congress express concerns about Israel’s military tactics. There is a growing sentiment among Democrats that they may use their leverage over weapons transfers to demand changes in Israel’s approach.
Overall, the approval of the sale of F-15 jets to Israel marks a significant development in U.S.-Israel relations. The Biden administration’s efforts to balance support for Israel with calls for improved humanitarian practices have been a key factor in securing Congressional approval for the deal. As the sale moves forward, it will be important to monitor how Israel implements changes in response to the concerns raised by Congressional Democrats.