US Arms for Israel Should Be for Defense, Not Offense, Senator Says
The Biden administration should promote de-escalation of the Israel-Hamas war by prioritizing defensive weapons systems over offensive ones when it makes its next major weapons transfer to Israel, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said in a Feb. 21 letter to President Joe Biden.
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While the "administration should be wary of weapons transfers that are likely to be used in offensive military action causing significant civilian casualties" in the Gaza Strip, providing defensive articles such as the Iron Dome and David's Sling air defense systems would rightfully allow Israel to protect itself against Hamas, Hezbollah and other threats, said Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees.
“The fact that U.S.-provided weapons are being used in this conflict requires that future military support be carefully calibrated to promote Israeli self-defense without deepening the suffering of innocent Palestinian civilians,” Kaine wrote.
Kaine cited a Wall Street Journal report that said the U.S. is preparing a weapons package for Israel that includes bombs, precision guidance kits and bomb fuses. The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.