Trump administration is seeking congressional approval to sell nearly $6 billion in weapons to Israel, AP reported.
The planned package includes a deal worth $3.8 billion for 30 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and $1.9 billion for 3,250 infantry assault vehicles for the Israeli army.
Another $750 million worth of support parts for armored personnel carriers and power supplies are also working its way through the sale process.
The purchase would be funded through U.S. military aid to Israel—that is, from American taxpayers’ money. Israel buys most of its American weapons using the billions it receives annually from the United States as “security assistance.”
At this stage, the State Department is seeking approval from the four top congressional leaders, Republicans and Democrats on the Senate and House Foreign Affairs committee. Committee leaders are typically required to approve major arms deals before the administration can send a broader message to Congress and the public.
However, On Thursday, a group of U.S. senators introduced the first Senate resolution to urge recognition of a Palestinian state and more than half of Democrats in the Senate recently voted against further arms sales, according to the agencies.
Noura /Mazen Eyon
