In brief
The Trump administration is weighing a decision to transfer 24,000 assault rifles to Israel that had been previously blocked under the Biden administration. The rifles, valued at $34 million, were held up by former Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken following apprehensions from Democratic lawmakers regarding their potential use by settler militias or Israeli police against Palestinians.
The contemplated arms transfer includes more than 75% of the rifles coming from Colt’s Manufacturing. Digital notifications about the pending sale surfaced after the recent intense conflicts in the region, which escalated following Hamas's attacks and Israeli military responses in Gaza. Democratic representatives expressed their concerns to the State Department, indicating that these weapons could exacerbate the violence already faced by Palestinians. Former Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has openly supported further militarization of settlements and the establishment of civilian militias for settlers' protection, raising alarm among U.S. lawmakers, who worry about a potential increase in violence against Palestinians as a result of this arms transfer. Ben-Gvir has previously stated his intentions to supply arms to these settlements, reinforcing fears regarding the misuse of American weaponry in an already volatile landscape.
