Washington [US], June 18: Under pressure from the White House, US lawmakers approved a multi-billion dollar arms deal to supply Israel.
The Washington Post reported on June 18 that two key Democratic lawmakers in the US House of Representatives and Senate had just approved a major deal to sell weapons to Israel , including 50 F-15 fighter jets worth more than 18 billion USD, after facing pressure from President Joe Biden's administration.
According to anonymous officials, Rep. Gregory Meeks and Sen. Ben Cardin signed the agreement after delaying it for months.
"Any issues or concerns that Congressman Cardin had were addressed through our ongoing consultations with the government, and that is why he felt the approval was appropriate," said Eric Harris, communications director at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Mr. Meeks said he was in close contact with the White House and called for pressure on Israel to increase humanitarian efforts and prevent civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip. He said the F-15s would only be delivered "years from now."
The offices of the two lawmakers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
According to Reuters, President Biden has come under increasing pressure when members of the Democratic Party believe he wholeheartedly supports Israel , amid an eight-month attack on Gaza that left more than 37,000 Palestinians dead. and almost all 2.3 million people had to relocate.
President Biden has pressed both sides in the conflict to reach a ceasefire.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper