Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday defended the emergency sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition and also called for quick congressional approval of more than $100 billion in aid for Israel, Ukraine and other national security priorities.
Quick Read
- Emergency Sale of Tank Ammunition to Israel: Secretary of State Antony Blinken defended the sale of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition to Israel.
- Call for Congressional Approval of Aid: Blinken urged for quick approval of over $100 billion in aid for Israel, Ukraine, and other national security priorities.
- Justification for Bypassing Congress: The decision to bypass Congress was justified by the needs of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
- Israel-Hamas Conflict: Blinken mentioned that Israel is currently in combat with Hamas, emphasizing the need for Israel to defend itself.
- Portion of Military Sales: The tank ammunition and support are a small part of the military sales to Israel, with the rest subject to congressional review.
- Congressional Involvement: Blinken stressed the importance of Congress’s role in reviewing military sales.
- Biden Administration’s Aid Package: The larger aid package, over $106 million for tank shells, is delayed due to debates over U.S. immigration policy and border security.
- President Biden’s Willingness to Compromise: Biden is ready to make significant compromises to advance the aid package.
- Urgency for Ukraine: With funding for Ukraine running low, Blinken highlighted the urgent need for aid.
- Consequences of Inaction: Failure to act could enable Russian President Vladimir Putin to advance with impunity, particularly in Ukraine.
- Television Interviews: Blinken’s statements were made during appearances on ABC’s “This Week” and CNN’s “State of the Union.”
The Associated Press has the story:
Blinken defends bypassing Congress to sell weapons to Israel, presses lawmakers to help Ukraine
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday defended the emergency sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition and also called for quick congressional approval of more than $100 billion in aid for Israel, Ukraine and other national security priorities.
Blinken said the needs of Israel’s military operations in Gaza justify the rare decision to bypass Congress. “Israel is in combat right now with Hamas,” he said during television interviews. “And we want to make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Hamas.”
The tank ammunition and related support constitute only a small portion of military sales to Israel, Blinken said, and that the rest remains subject to congressional review. “It’s very important that Congress‘s voice be heard in this,” he said.
The decision to proceed with the sale of more than $106 million for tank shells came as the Biden administration’s larger aid package is caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security.
Blinken noted that President Joe Biden has said he is willing to make significant compromises to get the aid package moving. “It’s something the president is fully prepared to engage on,” Blinken said.
The stakes are especially high for Ukraine, America’s top diplomat said, given that “we are running out of funding” for the Ukranians.
“This is a time to really step up because if we don’t, we know what happens. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will be able to move forward with impunity and we know he won’t stop in Ukraine.”
Blinken appeared on ABC’s “This Week” and CNN’s “State of the Union.”
