Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu responds to US President Biden/Roham Spokesperson
The White House recently asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Pentagon to receive a list of all arms transfers to Israel that are planned to begin or that should be approved in the coming weeks - this is what four senior American officials told Walla.
I want a complete and accurate picture.
Biden and Netanyahu/Government Press Office, Haim Tzach
The big picture
The White House is interested in getting a complete and accurate picture of the American weapons that are supposed to arrive in Israel, and this against the background of increasing criticism and pressure on the Biden administration from the Democrats in Congress, as well as from the public opinion regarding the supply of American weapons to Israel for the war in Gaza.
The American officials said that the request of the White House is not a signal of the administration's move to delay or suspend the transfer of weapons to Israel in the immediate time frame.
They emphasized that the administration has no intention at this stage to impose restrictions on military aid to Israel.
One of the senior American officials said that another reason for the White House's request was a list that Israel submitted to the Biden administration and that presented the weapon systems that are the top priority for the IDF. The administration is interested in checking whether there are any differences between the two lists.
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what are they saying
A source privy to the details claimed that the White House's request is routine and a similar process also occurred with regard to American military aid to Ukraine.
However, this is the first time since the October 7 attack that the White House has requested such a list from the Defense and Foreign Ministries regarding military aid to Israel.
The White House's goal is to get a picture of the situation regarding the defense export licenses to Israel that are pending approval, as well as regarding the weapons shipments that are in the pipeline, the source noted.
According to the source, the White House wants to receive the list to help the defense and foreign ministries prioritize certain arms shipments and check that there are no disputes that require the White House's intervention.
The White House refused to comment on the details of the news.
This is the first time since October 7 that such a request has been received.
IDF fighter in the Gaza Strip/IDF spokesman
In the news center
In recent days, the pressure on the White House has increased from the Democrats in Congress to use American military aid as leverage on Israel to change the way it conducts the fighting in Gaza and to do more to address the humanitarian crisis in the Strip.
A group of over 35 Democratic members of Congress sent a letter to President Biden a few days ago warning him that Israeli action in Rafah could violate the rules that the President recently established for the use of American weapons in a way that would not violate international law.
They claimed that an Israeli invasion of Rafah would contradict the new national security memorandum that the president published in early February, which requires countries that receive American military aid to commit in writing not to use weapons in a way that violates international law.
Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen said in a press briefing yesterday (Wednesday) that the administration should suspend all arms shipments to Israel as long as it does not provide a written commitment regarding the use of American weapons and noted that he had spoken with several members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about the possibility of blocking arms deals if Israel You will not comply with American rules.
the situation picture
Senior Israeli and American officials told Walla that Israel and the US are holding discussions about the written commitment that the Biden administration is seeking and noted that Israel has expressed a willingness in principle to sign such a letter of commitment.
The Biden administration asked to receive the signed letter by mid-March.
A senior Israeli official said that in the coming days there will be a discussion on the matter in the War Cabinet to make a final decision.
US Secretary of State Lincoln has to inform Congress by March 25 that Israel has provided a credible written commitment to the US. Without this commitment, the arms supply to Israel will be suspended.
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