Stalled US weapons package for Israel gains momentum after Iran attack

News Desk - The Cradle

The White House is seeking lawmaker approval for a $95 billion aid package for Israel and Ukraine that has been stalled in the US House of Representatives for months

In the wake of Iran's retaliatory missile and drone attack on Israel, US President Joe Biden is seeking lawmakers' approval for a stalled funding package that would see Washington send Israel $14 billion in additional military aid.

President Joe Biden held a phone call on 15 April, the morning after the Iranian attack on Israeli military bases, with the top Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate.

The White House said Biden "discussed the urgent need for the House of Representatives to pass the national security supplemental as soon as possible."

Biden has been trying to pass the $95 billion funding package for months. In addition to the $14 billion for Israel, the package includes $60 billion in military aid for Ukraine.

In response to Biden's request, Republican lawmaker and House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would try to advance the funding package.

Johnson told Fox News that he and Republicans "understand the necessity of standing with Israel."

"The details of that package are being put together right now," he said. "We're looking at the options and all these supplemental issues."

The funding package stalled when Biden first proposed it because many Republicans in the House opposed sending additional funds to Ukraine for its war with Russia.

If passed, the package will send Israel with more than three times the $3.8 billion the US typically provides Israel in a year.

It includes billions to bolster Israeli air defenses, ammo stockpiles, and weapons systems, which would not help Israel in its ongoing aggression against Gaza but would instead help Israel prepare for a potential full-scale war against Hezbollah and Iran.

A senior White House official told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, "This is for Israel to defend itself in a multi-front war and to be sure it can deter a multi-front war."

The package would provide funding for Israel's Iron Dome and David's Sling missile defense systems, as well as the Iron Beam, a system still in development, which would use lasers to shoot down drones, mortars, anti-tank missiles, and rockets.