The US is reported to have made more than 100 weapons sales to Israel, including thousands of bombs, since the start of the war in Gaza, but the deliveries escaped congressional oversight because each transaction was under the dollar amount requiring approval.

“This doesn’t just seem like an attempt to avoid technical compliance with US arms export law, it’s an extremely troubling way to avoid transparency and accountability on a high-profile issue,” Ari Tolany, director of the security assistance monitor at the Centre for International Policy thinktank, said.

She added that, in exploiting the loophole, the Biden administration was following the steps of its predecessor. “They’re very much borrowing from the Trump playbook to dodge congressional oversight,” Tolany said.

In defending its continued arms sales to Israel, despite ever more public misgivings about its conduct of the Gaza war, the administration has argued that they are part of the US’s basic commitment to Israel’s self defence.

  • Varyk
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    9 months ago

    Throwing a tantrum is not very convincing, if you’re curious.

    He’s taking practical diplomatic steps for a leader of a country who is indirectly involved in a war.

    There’s no pretense about it.

    • Viking_Hippie@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      Throwing a tantrum is not very convincing, if you’re curious.

      Was your hero Biden throwing a tantrum when he told Trump to shut up? Nope, he was trying to stop a barrage of counterfactual nonsense. As was I.

      He’s taking practical diplomatic steps for a leader of a country who is indirectly involved in a war.

      Nope, he’s pretending to be a moderating influence while in actuality keeping the United States DIRECTLY involved by continuing the supply of the very munitions used to massacre Palestinian civilians.

      There’s no pretense about it.

      Next you’re going to tell me that up is down and Trump is a very stable genius. That’s equally true.

      • Varyk
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        9 months ago

        I don’t care if you’re a trump supporter, but you’re wrong and making facetious and factually incorrect statements.

        That’s not what “directly” means.

        You’re either being deliberately misleading or severely politically short-sighted.

        Stopping us military aid will have no direct influence on the current military situation, Israel is stocked for years and still has plenty of willing allies.

        All your advocating for is throwing away US political influence in a war they are not part of for your own short-term satisfaction.

        • Viking_Hippie@lemmy.world
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          9 months ago

          I don’t care if you’re a trump supporter

          I very clearly am not. I’m beginning to suspect that your reading comprehension might be extremely poor. Maybe your comprehension of the world in general.

          you’re wrong and making facetious and factually incorrect statements.

          I’ll take “Projection” for 200, Alex!

          That’s not what “directly” means.

          What could possibly be more direct support of mass slaughter than supplying the weapons you know for a fact are going to be used for it? Does Biden has to personally travel there and kill Palestinian civilians himself for you admit that his government is directly participating?

          You’re either bring deliberately misleading or severely politically short-sighted.

          Back to the projection. In case your comprehension once again fails you, let me clarify: like a typical Republican, you are guilty of what you’re accusing me of.

          Stopping us military aid will have no direct influence on the current military situation, Israel is stocked for years

          And I’M the one being short-sighted??

          Because Israel currently has a stock of weapons, there’s no point in not helping to increase their supply? That’s positively asinine.

          still has plenty of willing allies.

          Decreasing by the week and would drop dramatically if countries weren’t afraid of upsetting their relationship with the US by going against the long-standing “support the Israeli government no matter what” policy that the Biden administration is perpetuating.

          Also, “willing” is a bit of a stretch when it’s mostly out of fear of worsening relations with the most powerful country in the world.

          your advocating for is throwing away US political influence

          On the contrary. I’m advocating to use US political and economic influence to help end the atrocities. Making all US military and economic support of the Israeli government contingent on good faith ceasefire negotiations would be a start.

          a war they are not part of

          Again with the ridiculous denial that US weapons sales by the US government doesn’t amount to taking part 🙄

          your own short-term satisfaction.

          Says the guy ignoring the obvious in favor of a dishonest politician who’s going to be doing the corporate speeches circuit in 5 years no matter what happens between now and November.

          Palestinian deaths and worsening a humanitarian catastrophe that’s already going to affect generations of people, on the other hand? THAT has long term effects.

          • Varyk
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            9 months ago

            What does direct mean, you ask? To be an active party in the violence and rhetoric, not one indirect military ally among dozens.

            And then you’re just meeting this up for the rest of your comment, it looks like.

            If you’re looking for the direct examples that contradict every narrow-minded broad inaccuracy you’re illogically repeating, glance up.

            Or you can keep pretending; it seems to be your favorite hobby.

            • Viking_Hippie@lemmy.world
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              9 months ago

              If you’re looking for the direct examples that contradict every narrow-minded broad inaccuracy you’re illogically repeating, glance up.

              Or you can keep pretending; it seems to be your favorite hobby

              And with that last bit of glaringly obvious projection, we’re done here. Have the day you deserve.

              • Varyk
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                9 months ago

                Haha, thanks, it’s been an amazing day so far.

                Checks out.