U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) joined 47 Senate Republican colleagues in a letter to the Biden-Harris administration, protesting its partial arms embargo against Israel. Led by U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), the senators urged the White House to cease accommodating Iran, stop jeopardizing American servicemembers’ lives, and deliver necessary weapons systems to Israel.
“When Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly raised the weapons hold in June, your administration adamantly denied the accusation. You ignored Congressional inquiries, including a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Marshall, a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Ernst, a May 14, 2024, letter from Senator Risch and a June 20, 2024, letter from Senator Cotton. All the while, you were deliberately delaying the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and equipment to Israel. These include 120 mm tank ammunition, 120 mm mortar ammunition, light tactical vehicles, air-to-air missiles, F-15s, F-35 engines, joint direct attack munition kits, 2,000 pound bombs, rifles and guided missile systems,” the senators wrote.
The full text of the letter addressed to President Biden stated:
“This weekend Hezbollah fired Iranian-made missiles into northern Israel murdering 12 children and injuring dozens in the single deadliest attack on that part of the country since October 7. The ultimate responsibility for this attack rests with Hezbollah and the ayatollahs in Iran. However while Tehran financed the attack and Hezbollah conducted it your fear of escalation has left Israel exposed and our enemies emboldened.
We write once again to protest your administration’s partial arms embargo against Israel. The actions of the Biden-Harris administration run counter to our long history of robust military cooperation with Israel and cast doubt upon the reliability of the United States as a long-term security partner. Your actions also violate the will of Congress as expressed in the recent supplemental that funded emergency military support to Israel.
When Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly raised the weapons hold in June your administration adamantly denied the accusation. You ignored Congressional inquiries including a May 6 2024 letter from Senator Marshall a May 6 2024 letter from Senator Ernst a May 14 2024 letter from Senator Risch and a June 20 2024 letter from Senator Cotton. All the while you were deliberately delaying the delivery of weapons ammunition and equipment to Israel. These include:
-120 mm tank ammunition
-120 mm mortar ammunition
-light tactical vehicles
-air-to-air missiles
-F-15s
-F-35 engines
-joint direct attack munition kits
-2,000 pound bombs
-rifles
-guided missile systems
While your administration delays Hamas continues to wage war against Israel; Houthis continue attacks in Red Sea; Hezbollah continues its onslaught in northern Israel. Your stalling tactics are endangering our greatest ally in Middle East jeopardizing lives of American servicemembers stationed in region.”
The senators concluded by urging President Biden’s administration “to use every available emergency authority to expedite physical delivery of all weapons and ammunition approved by Congress” to ensure support for Israel against threats posed by Iran and its allies.
