The Biden administration’s plan to sell $18 billion worth of F-15 fighter jets to Israel is gaining momentum after two key Democratic holdouts in Congress have given their approval. Representative Gregory W. Meeks of New York, who had initially opposed the transfer due to concerns over Israel’s tactics in Gaza, has now lifted his hold on the deal. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin of Maryland, who had also delayed signing off on the deal, has now agreed to allow it to move forward.
The decision to move ahead with the sale comes after months of deliberation and mounting pressure on the Biden administration to address concerns about Israel’s conduct during the conflict with Hamas. Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress have been closely monitoring the situation and have the opportunity to register their opposition to the sale before it is finalized.
The State Department has informed key congressional committees about the F-15 order, with top Republicans on those panels already approving the deal. The administration has assured lawmakers that all concerns have been addressed and that the sale will proceed as planned.
This development marks a significant shift for Representative Meeks, who had previously expressed strong reservations about the sale. However, he has now indicated his support for the Biden administration’s efforts to push for improvements in Israel’s humanitarian efforts and to limit civilian casualties.
The sale of F-15 fighter jets to Israel is one of the largest arms deals in years and is expected to take years to complete. The final step before sealing the deal will be notifying Congress, a process that is now set to move forward following the approval of key Democratic lawmakers.
